[The relationship of lingua and uvula in OSAS].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the relationship between lingual base and uvula, the relationship between lingua and jaw dentition in normal adults, snorers and patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to study the difference of the relationships among them.


METHODS
21 patients with OSAS, 25 snorer and 30 normal adults were included in the study. The relationship between lingua and uvula and the relationship between lingual base and jaw dentition were observed. The difference of the relationships among the OSAS patients, snorers and normal adults were studied.


RESULTS
Among the OSAS patients, snorer and normal adults, there are obviously difference in the relationship between lingua and uvula and the relationships between lingual base and jaw dentition. In normal adults, the lingua below to jaw dentition and the uvula is visible at opening of mouth; in snorers, the lingua match the jaw dentition and the uvula is visible at pronunciation; in OSAS patients, the lingua tower above the jaw dentition and the uvula is sightless at pronunciation.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that the enlarge of lingua and uvula be the one of etiology of OSAS.
Li
Shuhua
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Shenyang General Hospital of PLA, Shenyang 110015.
Shi
Hongjin
H
Yu
Jianhui
J
Dong
Weidong
W
Wang
Guiru
G
Yu
Yongqiang
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000473:pathology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014609:Uvula / Q000033:anatomy & histology*