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Related Experiment Videos

Lingual fat at autopsy.

Nadia Nashi1, Sharon Kang, Gregory C Barkdull

  • 1University of California, San Diego, California, USA.

The Laryngoscope
|June 27, 2007
PubMed
Summary
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Increased tongue weight and fat content correlate with higher body mass index (BMI), potentially explaining the link between obesity and sleep disordered breathing (SDB). This study analyzed autopsy data to quantify tongue fat and weight in relation to obesity metrics.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Pathology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI), is linked to sleep disordered breathing (SDB).
  • The specific mechanisms connecting obesity and SDB remain unclear.
  • Tongue obstruction due to increased fat content is a proposed mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize tongue fat content.
  • To determine if tongue weight and fat percentage correlate with BMI and other obesity indicators.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional autopsy study of 121 cases.
  • Tongues were weighed, sectioned, and digitally analyzed for fat distribution.
  • Correlations were examined between tongue measurements, BMI, and other obesity metrics.

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Main Results:

  • Tongue weight positively correlated with BMI (r=0.6, P<.0001).
  • Posterior tongue fat percentage averaged 30% and correlated with BMI (r=0.5, P<.0001).
  • Anterior tongue fat correlated with BMI in males but not females.

Conclusions:

  • Increased tongue weight and fat content may contribute to SDB in obese individuals.
  • Tongue characteristics could explain higher SDB rates in overweight patients.
  • Tongue weight, fat, and volume may correlate with Mallampati grades.