Biomaterial Database

Properties of tissues surrounding the upper airway. 1996

R J Schwab

Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104-4283, USA.

The pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains unknown. However, we are beginning to understand the mechanisms leading to sleep apnea by evaluating the structure and function of the upper airway (UA) and the surrounding soft-tissue structures using sophisticated magnetic-resonance-imaging techniques. Knowledge of the morphology and mechanical behavior of the soft-tissue structures is essential for a complete understanding of the physiology of the UA. Although the tongue and soft palate have been considered the most important UA soft-tissue structures, our data have highlighted the importance of the lateral pharyngeal walls in the mediating UA caliber. We have demonstrated that: (1) during wakefulness, the predominant anatomic abnormality underlying UA narrowing in patients with OSA is thickening of the lateral pharyngeal walls; (2) during respiration, there are significant changes in lateral airway dimensions as well as in the thickness of the lateral walls; and (3) incremental levels of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) result in progressive thinning of the lateral pharyngeal walls. The dynamic biomechanical behavior of the lateral pharyngeal walls during wakefulness, sleep, and during apneas needs to be investigated.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008279	Magnetic Resonance Imaging	Non-invasive method of demonstrating internal anatomy based on the principle that atomic nuclei in a strong magnetic field absorb pulses of radiofrequency energy and emit them as radiowaves which can be reconstructed into computerized images. The concept includes proton spin tomographic techniques.	Chemical Shift Imaging,MR Tomography,MRI Scans,MRI, Functional,Magnetic Resonance Image,Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Functional,Magnetization Transfer Contrast Imaging,NMR Imaging,NMR Tomography,Tomography, NMR,Tomography, Proton Spin,fMRI,Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging,Imaging, Chemical Shift,Proton Spin Tomography,Spin Echo Imaging,Steady-State Free Precession MRI,Tomography, MR,Zeugmatography,Chemical Shift Imagings,Echo Imaging, Spin,Echo Imagings, Spin,Functional MRI,Functional MRIs,Image, Magnetic Resonance,Imaging, Magnetic Resonance,Imaging, NMR,Imaging, Spin Echo,Imagings, Chemical Shift,Imagings, Spin Echo,MRI Scan,MRIs, Functional,Magnetic Resonance Images,Resonance Image, Magnetic,Scan, MRI,Scans, MRI,Shift Imaging, Chemical,Shift Imagings, Chemical,Spin Echo Imagings,Steady State Free Precession MRI
D010160	Palate, Soft	A movable fold suspended from the posterior border of the hard palate. The uvula hangs from the middle of the lower border.	Velum Palatinum,Soft Palate,Palates, Soft,Palatinum, Velum
D010614	Pharynx	A funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the ESOPHAGUS, and air to the LARYNX and LUNGS. It is located posterior to the NASAL CAVITY; ORAL CAVITY; and LARYNX, and extends from the SKULL BASE to the inferior border of the CRICOID CARTILAGE anteriorly and to the inferior border of the C6 vertebra posteriorly. It is divided into the NASOPHARYNX; OROPHARYNX; and HYPOPHARYNX (laryngopharynx).	Throat,Pharynxs,Throats
D011175	Positive-Pressure Respiration	A method of mechanical ventilation in which pressure is maintained to increase the volume of gas remaining in the lungs at the end of expiration, thus reducing the shunting of blood through the lungs and improving gas exchange.	Positive End-Expiratory Pressure,Positive-Pressure Ventilation,End-Expiratory Pressure, Positive,End-Expiratory Pressures, Positive,Positive End Expiratory Pressure,Positive End-Expiratory Pressures,Positive Pressure Respiration,Positive Pressure Ventilation,Positive-Pressure Respirations,Positive-Pressure Ventilations,Pressure, Positive End-Expiratory,Pressures, Positive End-Expiratory,Respiration, Positive-Pressure,Respirations, Positive-Pressure,Ventilation, Positive-Pressure,Ventilations, Positive-Pressure
D012123	Pulmonary Ventilation	The total volume of gas inspired or expired per unit of time, usually measured in liters per minute.	Respiratory Airflow,Ventilation Tests,Ventilation, Pulmonary,Expiratory Airflow,Airflow, Expiratory,Airflow, Respiratory,Test, Ventilation,Tests, Ventilation,Ventilation Test
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014059	Tongue	A muscular organ in the mouth that is covered with pink tissue called mucosa, tiny bumps called papillae, and thousands of taste buds. The tongue is anchored to the mouth and is vital for chewing, swallowing, and for speech.	Tongues