title: Sex differences in pharyngeal airway morphology in adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the pharyngeal airway dimensions in adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion and well-balanced faces, to ascertain whether sex can influence such measurements and to correlate skeletal pattern with pharyngeal dimensions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty adults were recruited and assigned to two groups: skeletal Class III (n = 25; 12 males and 13 females, mean age = 26.1 years), and skeletal Class I (n = 25; 11 males and 14 females, mean age = 26.0 years), with well-balanced faces. Pharyngeal measurements were made using cone beam computed tomography and analyzed with Dolphin Imaging software 11.5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pharyngeal sagittal area, length, retroglossal area and width were statistically greater for males. Pharyngeal volume was greater for Class III patients (p = .0245), due to enlarged male dimensions. A significant but moderate correlation was observed between pharyngeal airway volume and ANB angle (r = -.4917) and effective mandibular length (Co-Gn, r = .5181).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is sexual differentiation in the pharyngeal airway morphology for Class III adults. As females present similar pharynx volume compared to a normal skeletal pattern, mandibular setback surgery should be carefully planned because of the risk of airway constriction.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda Rabelo
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2972-3934
authors.initials: MFR
authors.lastname: Bozzini
authors.affiliation: b Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry , Federal University of Goiás , Goiânia , Goiás , Brazil.
authors.forename: José
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0147-1931
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valladares-Neto
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: João Batista de
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Paiva
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rino-Neto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Angle Class III; cone beam computed tomography; obstructive sleep apnea; pharynx; sexual differentiation