What is laryngeal cleft?

Also known as: laryngotracheal cleft, LTC.

When the body develops normally, the larynx (voice box) sits above the trachea (windpipe), right next to the esophagus. If a laryngeal cleft is present, there’s a gap between the larynx and esophagus that can allow food or liquids to enter the trachea.

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Reviewed by: Brian Ho, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM