Craniofacial and upper airway development.

Development of the craniofacial and upper airway structures is a complex choreography of mesenchymal and epithelial tissues responding to soluble growth factors and transcription factors in a tightly regulated sequence. Interruption of the development process or mutation of required transcription or growth factors leads to congenital anomalies of the facial and airway structures. Oftentimes, these patients suffer life-long consequences, require multiple medical and surgical interventions, and have significant associated morbidity and mortality. Furthering our understanding of the basic developmental mechanisms of craniofacial and upper airway development will lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies to improve the care of these patients.