Relationship between hyoid bone and pharyngeal airway in different skeletal patterns

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics and Dental Anatomy
• Cephalometric Analysis
• Airway Morphology

Background:

• The hyoid bone and associated muscles are crucial for maintaining the pharyngeal airway space.
• Skeletal patterns significantly influence craniofacial morphology and airway dimensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between hyoid bone position and pharyngeal airway dimensions.
• To analyze these correlations across different skeletal patterns (Class I, II, and III).

Main Methods:

• Cephalometric analysis of 270 individuals (90 male, 90 female) categorized by skeletal pattern.
• Measurement of pharyngeal airway spaces: soft palate (SP), B point (BP), second cervical vertebra (C2P), and laryngopharyngeal airway (LP).
• Statistical analysis using paired t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation.

Main Results:

• Class III individuals exhibited significantly longer SP and BP compared to Class I and II.
• Anterior hyoid bone positioning was observed in Class III compared to Class II; vertical positions showed no significant differences.
• In females with Class III pattern, hyoid bone horizontal position positively correlated with C2P.

Conclusions:

• Maxillary position (SNA) did not correlate with pharyngeal airway space.
• A more protruding mandible (SNB) correlated with an anterior hyoid bone and longer pharyngeal airway.