Can facial type be used to predict changes in hyoid bone position with age? A perspective based on longitudinal data.
BACKGROUND
Low positioning of the hyoid bone is associated with the unique human ability of speech, but it might also predispose the airway to collapse. The low position of the hyoid bone has been studied in adults with sleep apnea. However, information on age-related changes in hyoid bone position in the general adult population is sparse.


METHODS
We used pairs of lateral cephalometric radiographs taken 15 years apart to assess vertical changes over time in hyoid position in 163 normal white men (ages, 30-72 years).


CONCLUSIONS
Significant changes in hyoid bone position were independent of age or obesity but were related to facial type, as classified by the steepness of the lower margin of the mandible. Changes in hyoid position over time were significant in dolichofacial subjects but not in brachyfacial subjects. This finding might be particularly important because a low hyoid bone with a brachial face appears to be a morphologic characteristic of nonobese patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Pae
Eung-Kwon
EK
School of Dentistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668, USA. epae@dent.ucla.edu
Quas
Catherine
C
Quas
Jodi
J
Garrett
Neal
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000473:pathology; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology