Tracheal/bronchial rupture

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Tracheal/bronchial rupture

This injury is a tear or break in the trachea (windpipe) or bronchial tubes, the major airways leading to the lungs. The injury may be caused by infections, ulcerations due to foreign objects, and trauma. A tear can also occur in the tracheal mucosa, the tissue lining of the windpipe.

The trachea or bronchial tubes can be damaged by a penetrating wound like a gunshot, or a blunt trauma like an automobile accident, but these are uncommon. Injuries to the trachea or bronchi also may occur during medical procedures (e.g., fiberoptic bronchoscopy, placement of a breathing tube), but this is also very uncommon.

Breathing a foreign body (e.g., food) into the trachea or bronchi may produce an infection and erosion through the wall, thus producing a disruption.

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