Contributory role of the tongue and mandible in modulating the in-mouth air cavity at rest

Objectives The tongue-to-palate distance influences the volume of the in-mouth air cavity (IMAC), thus conditioning the entry of aromatic compounds to the olfactory mucosa site. This study was set out to record the IMAC volume by measuring tongue-to-palate distance at rest. Materials and methods Twe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical oral investigations 2013-12, Vol.17 (9), p.2025-2032
Main Authors: Bourdiol, Pierre, Mishellany-Dutour, Anne, Peyron, Marie-Agnes, Woda, Alain
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Agricultural sciences
Dentistry
Female
Humans
Life Sciences
Male
Mandible - physiology
Mastication
Medicine
Original Article
Tongue - physiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Objectives The tongue-to-palate distance influences the volume of the in-mouth air cavity (IMAC), thus conditioning the entry of aromatic compounds to the olfactory mucosa site. This study was set out to record the IMAC volume by measuring tongue-to-palate distance at rest. Materials and methods Twelve young adults in good general health were tested—lips contacting, with at-rest posture of the tongue and jaw during a silent reading task. Observations in this study were limited to pre- and post-swallowing sequences. The tongue-to-palate distance was measured using three electromagnetic sensors placed on the tongue upper surface. IMAC volume was evaluated from a geometrical model, taking into account the tongue-to-palate distance, the IMAC transversal distance measured from dental casts and historic data giving the anterior–posterior distance of the oral cavity. Results (1) In the at-rest posture, the tongue-to-palate distance was significantly greater at the posterior sensor level. (2) A vertical shift in tongue posture at rest frequently appeared following deglutition. The upward shifts were of larger amplitude and more frequent than the downward shifts. (3) Evaluation of the IMAC volume gave an approximate value of 12 ml at rest. (4) The chin sensor at rest was 2.8 ± 0.8 mm below its position when in occlusion. Conclusion The tongue and mandible contribute to shaping the IMAC volume. Clinical relevance : These and other results suggest that deglutition changes tongue-to-palate distance and influences aroma release during mastication/deglutition acts through modulation of the IMAC volume.
ISSN:1432-6981
1436-3771
DOI:10.1007/s00784-012-0897-8