Danieli Moura Brasil1, Lúcio Mitsuo Kurita2, Francisco Carlos Groppo3, Francisco Haiter-Neto4. 1. Postgraduate student, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Radiology Area, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: danielibrasil@hotmail.com. 2. Associate professor, Department of Dental Clinic, Oral Radiology Area, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. 3. Professor, Department of Physiological Sciences, Pharmacology Area, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. 4. Professor and dean, Oral Radiology Area, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Pharynx dimensions may vary according to the position and morphology of the mandible. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that craniofacial morphology affects pharyngeal volume and its cross-sectional areas. METHODS: Seventy-four subjects (38 men, 36 women) aged 18 to 56 years (mean ± SD 32.8 ± 1.8 years) were scanned with a cone-beam computed tomography unit and had facial profile photographs taken. All participants were classified according to skeletal anteroposterior (Class II and Class III) and vertical facial patterns (brachyfacial, mesofacial, and dolichofacial). Facial profile analyses and pharyngeal volume and cross-sectional area determinations were performed. RESULTS: The soft palate cross-sectional area of the oropharynx was significantly greater in the Class III patients. The upper facial third (trichion to soft tissue glabella/facial height) correlated negatively with pharyngeal volume and with soft palate cross-sectional area in the oropharynx. Alternatively, the midfacial third (soft tissue glabella to subnasale/facial height) correlated positively with soft palate cross-sectional area of the oropharynx. No significant differences across sexes and facial patterns regarding pharyngeal volume were found (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The soft palate cross-sectional area is larger in skeletal Class III subjects. It seems that analysis of the facial profile focusing on the proportions of the facial thirds allows for inferences on pharyngeal dimensions. However, anteroposterior skeletal facial type and vertical facial pattern do not seem to affect pharyngeal volume.
INTRODUCTION: Pharynx dimensions may vary according to the position and morphology of the mandible. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that craniofacial morphology affects pharyngeal volume and its cross-sectional areas. METHODS: Seventy-four subjects (38 men, 36 women) aged 18 to 56 years (mean ± SD 32.8 ± 1.8 years) were scanned with a cone-beam computed tomography unit and had facial profile photographs taken. All participants were classified according to skeletal anteroposterior (Class II and Class III) and vertical facial patterns (brachyfacial, mesofacial, and dolichofacial). Facial profile analyses and pharyngeal volume and cross-sectional area determinations were performed. RESULTS: The soft palate cross-sectional area of the oropharynx was significantly greater in the Class III patients. The upper facial third (trichion to soft tissue glabella/facial height) correlated negatively with pharyngeal volume and with soft palate cross-sectional area in the oropharynx. Alternatively, the midfacial third (soft tissue glabella to subnasale/facial height) correlated positively with soft palate cross-sectional area of the oropharynx. No significant differences across sexes and facial patterns regarding pharyngeal volume were found (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The soft palate cross-sectional area is larger in skeletal Class III subjects. It seems that analysis of the facial profile focusing on the proportions of the facial thirds allows for inferences on pharyngeal dimensions. However, anteroposterior skeletal facial type and vertical facial pattern do not seem to affect pharyngeal volume.