title: The relationship of vertical skeletofacial morphology to oropharyngeal airway shape using cone beam computed tomography: possible implications for airway restriction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the shape of the oropharyngeal airway is related to the vertical morphology of the skeletofacial complex, including the hyoid bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cone beam computed tomography scans from 50 pretreatment adult orthodontic records were used to obtain skeletal and airway measurements. Linear regression statistics were used to compare soft tissue variables to hard tissue predictor variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transverse airway widening was significantly increased when the distance between the hyoid and vertebrae was reduced; when the three-dimensional (3D) facial axis angle decreased (became more vertical); when the 3D mandibular plane angle increased; when the width of the hyoid increased, or when the calculated length of the geniohyoid decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A laterally elliptical airway-found when the face is more vertical and when the hyoid is closer to the cervical vertebrae-is hypothetically more resistant to collapse. Patients with a retrognathic, skeletal deep bite and a rounded oropharynx should be identified and corrected early to prevent potential airway problems.
authors.affiliation: a  Private Practice, Kenosha, WI.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Haskell
authors.forename: Bruce S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Haskell
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Spoon
authors.forename: Changyong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002680:Chin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014716:Vertical Dimension