The size of upper airway of the snorer in upright and supine position.
- Author:
Jong Chul KIM
1
;
Hong Kyu CHO
;
Gye Hyeong LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Snore;
Upright position;
Supine position;
Upper airway space
- MeSH:
Female;
Humans;
Hyoid Bone;
Hypopharynx;
Oropharynx;
Palate, Soft;
Supine Position*;
Tongue
- From:Korean Journal of Orthodontics
1996;26(1):43-52
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the upper airway structure between the snorers and asymptomatic control subjects depending on the positional change. Lateral cephalograms in the upright and supine position were taken in 25 female snorers and 20 female asymptomatic control subjects, The length and the area of the soft palate, tongue and airway were measured and evaluated statistically. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The snorers showed longer and higher tongue, narrower and longer airway, inferiorly positioned hyoid bone, longer and broader soft palate and narrower hypopharynx than the control subjects both in the upright and supine position. In addition, the snorers showed broader tongue area and narrower oropharynx area than the control subjects in supine position. 2. Depending on the positional change from upright to supine position, the controls and the snorers showed decreased airway length and superior positioned the hyoid bone. In addition, the snorers showed decreased tongue length and height, airway length and thickness and oropharynx area, but increased tongue area and soft palate area.
