Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome   Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is the medical term given to various upper airway problems found in short-nosed, flat-faced cats breeds. A brachycephalic (having a short, broad head) breed may experience partial obstruction of the upper airway due to physical characteristics such as narrowed nostrils, an overly long soft palate, or collapse of the voice box (larynx). Breathing difficulties may also occur because of an abnormally small trachea, another characteristic common to brachycephalic breeds.