[From vibration trauma to disturbed sensorimotor function: The beginning of a vicious circle in obstructive sleep...

Knowledge of the anatomy and neural innervation of the oropharynx and larynx is essential for understanding vital functions such as breathing, swallowing, coughing, and speaking. This article provides an overview of the sensorimotor innervation of the upper airway structures. The upper airway should be richly equipped with receptors and sensory nerve fibers due to its critical role in life-preserving protective reflexes. It is well established that patients with obstructive sleep apnea develop sensorimotor neuropathy over time. It is an interesting hypothesis that vibrations of the upper airway soft tissues and snoring are considered as likely trigger for this sensory neuropathy. Vibration and snoring could be the initial pathomechanism for a circulus vitiosus leading to obstructive sleep apnea.