title: Correlation between morphology and function of the upper lip: a longitudinal evaluation.
abstract: In order to evaluate the relationship between the morphology of the upper lip and muscle activity in a sample of 38 subjects (17 males and 21 females) with Angle Class II division 1 malocclusions, cephalometric and electromyographic analyses were conducted. The sample was subdivided into either predominantly nose or mouth breathers. The individuals were evaluated at two different periods, with a 2 year interval. At the first observation, the subjects were 11 years to 14 years 11 months of age and at the second observation, 13 years 4 months to 16 years 6 months of age. Height and thickness of the upper lip were measured on lateral cephalograms with the aid of a digital pachymeter. For each individual, electromyographic records were obtained of the orbicularis oris superior muscle at rest and in a series of 12 movements. The electromyographic data were normalized as a function of amplitude, for achievement of the percentage value of each movement. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were applied. The results showed some correlation between morphology and muscle function (at a confidence level of 95 per cent). However, as the values of the correlation coefficient (r) were too low to establish associations between variables, it was concluded that the dimensions of the upper lip are not correlated with muscle activity.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health and Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. aldrieli@gmail.com
authors.forename: Aldrieli Regina
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.forename: Paula Cristina
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Trevilatto
authors.forename: Tatsuko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakima
authors.forename: Sérgio Aparecido
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ignácio
authors.forename: Roberto Hideo
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D009058:Mouth Breathing / Q000503:physiopathology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009666:Nose / Q000503:physiopathology; D010700:Phonetics; D012119:Respiration; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology