Comparison between anatomy and resistance of upper airway in normal subjects, snorers and OSAS patients

• Published in: Respiration physiology 2002, Vol.129 (3), p.335-343
• Main Authors: Verin, E, Tardif, C, Buffet, X, Marie, J.P, Lacoume, Y, Andrieu-Guitrancourt, J, Pasquis, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Air breathing; Airway Resistance; Biological and medical sciences; Cephalometry; Disorders of higher nervous function. Focal brain diseases. Central vestibular syndrome and deafness. Brain stem syndromes; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Mammals, humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Pattern of breathing, apnea, sleep; Reference Values; Respiratory System - pathology; Respiratory System - physiopathology; Respiratory system: anatomy, metabolism, gas exchange, ventilatory mechanics, respiratory hemodynamics; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - pathology; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - physiopathology; Sleep, obstructive sleep apnea; Snoring - pathology; Snoring - physiopathology; Snoring, upper airways, resistance; Upper airways, resistance; Vertebrates: respiratory system
• ISSN: 0034-5687
• DOI: 10.1016/S0034-5687(01)00324-3

Upper airway (UA) anatomical abnormalities are frequently observed in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The correspondence between UA anatomical modifications and UA resistance (UAR) had not been studied. We aimed to determine if cephalometric characteristics could be related to segmental UAR. In twenty-five patients (21 males) (15 OSAS patients, 10 snorers) and 10 control subjects (8 males), segmental UAR were measured in supine position and cephalometry was performed. Inspiratory and expiratory UAR were calculated at peak flow. Length of the soft palate (LP), posterior airway space (PAS), distance from hyoid bone to mandibular plane and to posterior pharyngeal wall were different between the groups ( P