It is formed from the tracheoesophageal folds or ridges which fuse in the midline.
Developmental abnormalities can lead to a tracheoesophageal fistula.
[5] The tracheoesophageal septum divides the oesophagus from the trachea during prenatal development.
[6] This may be caused by certain mutations of genes involved in its development.
[4] Other theories for the origin of tracheoesophageal fistula have been suggested.