Korean J Orthod.  1996 Feb;26(1):43-52.

The size of upper airway of the snorer in upright and supine position

• Kim JC
• Cho HK
• Lee GH

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.

Keyword

Snore; Upright position; Supine position; Upper airway space

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Hyoid Bone
Hypopharynx
Oropharynx
Palate, Soft
Supine Position*
Tongue