title: The upper airway in sleep-disordered breathing: UA in SDB.
abstract: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a common condition and could be a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the pathogenesis of SDB remains to be elucidated. In general, SDB is divided into two forms, obstructive and central sleep apnea (OSA and CSA, respectively). OSA results from the sleep-related collapse of the upper airway (UA) in association with multiple factors like race, gender, obesity and UA dimensions. CSA primarily results from a fall in PaCO2 to a level below the apnea threshold during sleep through the reflex inhibition of central respiratory drive. It has been reported that UA alterations (i.e., collapse or dilation) can be observed in CSA. This review highlights the roles of the UA in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of SDB.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Cardiorespiratory Disease Research Center Respiratory Physiopathology A. O. M. Mellini, Chiari, Brescia, Italy - kasai-t@mx6.nisiq.net.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taranto Montemurro
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kasai
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010156:Palatal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D020182:Sleep Apnea, Central / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology