Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Treatment of Facial Deformities using 3D Planning and Printing of Patient-Specific Implants
Published on: May 23, 2020
Three-Dimensional Assessment of Upper Airway Volume and Morphology in Patients with Different Sagittal Skeletal
Silvia Izabella Pop1, Ana Procopciuc1, Bianca Arsintescu1
1Faculty of Dental Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38 Gh. Marinescu Str., 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania.
Background:
The relationship between respiratory function and craniofacial morphology has garnered significant attention due to its implications for upper airway and stomatognathic development. Nasal breathing plays a key role in craniofacial growth and dental positioning. This study investigated upper airway morphology and volume differences among individuals with class I, II, and III skeletal anomalies.
Methods:
Ninety orthodontic patients' CBCT scans were analyzed to assess the oropharynx and hypopharynx volumes. Skeletal diagnosis was established based on the cephalometric analysis.
Results:
A significant volume change in the oropharynx and pharynx was demonstrated when comparing class II with class III anomalies (p = 0.0414, p = 0.0313). The total volume of the pharynx was increased in class III anomalies. The area of the narrowest part of the pharynx (MIN-CSA) significantly decreased in classes I and II compared to class III (p = 0.0289, p = 0.0003). Patients with Angle class III anomalies exhibited higher values in the narrowest pharyngeal segment. Gender differences were significant in pharyngeal volumes and morphologies across malocclusion classes.
Conclusions:
The narrowest segment of the pharynx had the highest values in patients with Angle class III. The volume of the oropharynx was found to be greater in patients with Angle class III versus patients with Angle class II.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...
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....
Respiratory Volumes
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I

