Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras
Published on: May 31, 2014
Relationship of the functional oropharynx to craniofacial morphology
1Dept. of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics, Royal Preston Hospital, Fulwood, UK.
Abstract:
The association between the functional oropharyngeal airway (defined as the minimal sagittal dimension at right angles to the airstream) and craniofacial morphology was investigated using 16 craniofacial variables taken from lateral cephalometric radiographs. The sample consisted of 70 subjects (31 males and 39 females) 10 to 13 years of age. There was no difference in ages between males and females, and no correlation with age except upper face height. Oropharyngeal airway was positively correlated with length of the mandible (Gon-Men), the distance between the third cervical vertebra and the hyoid bone (C3-Hy), and cranial base angle (NSBa). Although short mandibular length is a characteristic finding in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, none of the subjects in this study had this diagnosis.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of the Skull
The cranial vault surrounds and protects the brain and houses the middle and inner ear structures. This cavity is bounded superiorly by the rounded top of the skull, which...
The Hyoid Bone
Muscles for Facial Expressions
Pharynx
Nasopharynx
The nasopharynx, bordered by the conchae of the nasal cavity, serves exclusively as an air conduit. In its superior region, the pharyngeal tonsils or adenoids are located. These tonsils are clusters of lymphoid reticular tissue akin to a lymph node. The precise...
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract.

