Gender- and age-based differences in computerized tomographic measurements of the orophaynx

Abstract

Objective-To examine the influence of aging and body-mass-index (BMI) on the oropharynx configuration in male and female Japanese patients.Study design-This study examined the computed tomography (CT) images of 19 male and 19 females, group matched for age and BMI. The airway and the soft tissue volumes between the posterior nasal spine and top of the epiglottis were compared.Results-The patient's height, total oropharynx length (TOL), and lower oropharynx lengths and volume measurements (soft tissue and airway) demonstrated statistically significant gender differences. Men consistently had larger TOL and volumes than women. In men, TOL changed with age, and age was a significant predictor of lower oropharynx length. In males, the upper oropharynx soft tissue volume decreased significantly with age and lower oropharynx soft tissue volume increased significantly with age. In females no significant relationship was identified.Conclusion-The airway lengthens with aging in males and we speculate that it becomes more collapsible, which in turn could contribute to obstructive sleep apnea.

Upper airway dimensions in patients with craniocervical junction malformations with and without sleep apnea. A pilot case-control study

“…The total height of the oropharynx and the volume of this segment demonstrated a statistically significant difference between genders (larger in men). Among the study participants, the changes increased with age, and age was a significant predictor of the oropharynx length 29,30 .…”

Measurements of normal upper airway assessed by 3-dimensional computed tomography in Chinese children and adolescents

“…Johnston and Richardson [22] repeated cephalometric radiographs measurements of 16 adults after 32 years, and showed that the vertical oropharynx length increased by 4.7 mm after 20 years of age. Yuko et al [13] found that, in OSA male and female patients, pharyngeal airway length significantly correlated with age after being adjusted for height, and the lengthening with age was greater in men than in women. The findings above indicated that the difference in pharyngeal airway length between sexes appears since puberty, and airway length changes throughout adulthood.…”

“…The findings above indicated that the difference in pharyngeal airway length between sexes appears since puberty, and airway length changes throughout adulthood. Longer airway increases the pharyngeal collapse potential [13,25,28], and this difference in airway anatomy may be a risk factor of high male-tofemale ratio for OSA.…”

Effects of extraction versus non-extraction treatment on oropharyngeal airway volume

“…The limits of the oropharyngeal (OP) volume were defined on the midsagittal slice, anteriorly by the incisive canal and the midline of the upper incisors. 20 The superior border of the OP volume was defined by the palatal plane (ANS-PNS) line extending to the posterior wall of the pharynx, and the inferior border was defined by the line passing from the most inferoanterior point on the body of the third cervical vertebra and the base of the epiglottis ( Figure 2). In addition to volumetric measurements, the surface area of the most constricted area between the previously mentioned limits was recorded in relation to the occlusal plane as above the occlusal plane (AOP), below the occlusal plane (BOP), or on the occlusal plane (OccP).…”