title: Pharyngeal airway obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea: pathophysiology and clinical implications.
abstract: In obstructive sleep apnea, airflow obstruction is caused by pharyngeal collapse. Current evidence suggests that anatomic alterations predispose to pharyngeal collapse. This article examines the role of structures that elongate and dilate the pharynx in maintaining pharyngeal patency. Their influence on pharyngeal collapsibility is considered. Insights gained are then presented within a conceptual framework that can be used for treating patients.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Eisele
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology; D011312:Pressure; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology