Study On Anatomic Measurement Of Oropharynx Dimensions

Objective: My experiment research was carried out with two aims. One was to determine the normal value range of the healthy adults' oropharyngeal cavity, the other was to explore the relationship between the size of oropharyngeal cavity and the index of apnea/hypopnea. Methods: 6 normal values were measured among 200 healthy adults. The 6 normal values are the length of the soft palate, the distance between anterior tonsilla pillars and distance between posterior tonsilla pillars, the length and breadth of the uvula, and the distance from uvula basis to hind pharyngeal wall. The study determined the maximum or minimum of the normal value range according to the clinical purpose. The above 6 values of the oropharynx were measured among 63 adult patients with OSAHS, and were compared with that of healthy adults. The relationship between AHI and the 6 values of oropharyngeal cavity was studied. Result: The oropharyngeal cavity size of OSAHS patients and healthy adults were significantly different. And there was a close relationship between AHI and the oropharynx size. Meantime, the normal value range of the healthy adults' oropharyngeal cavity was verified statistically. Conclusion: Nearly all OSAHS patients have anatomic obstructive factors at oropharygeal cavity, and the smaller oropharynx play an important role in the pathogenesis of OSAHS. Therefore, it's important and necessary to measure the oropharynx size in the diagnosis of OSAHS. The normal value range of the oropharynx size can help to judge the oropharyngeal obstruction of OSAHS patients, and to provide the standard data for the operation of Uppp.