Correlation between Pharyngeal Airway Space and Craniofacial Morphology - A Cephalometric Study

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of craniofacial morphology on pharyngeal airway space (PAS) in individuals with normal sagittal skeletal pattern. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 adult female patients with skeletal Class I jaw relationship were included in the study. Lateral cephalograms were obtained and hand traced. Various soft and hard tissue points identified and linear and angular measurements carried out to evaluate the pharyngeal airway space. The data thus collected were subjected to statistical analysis. Result: The linear variables LAFH (lower anterior face height) and Na-Se-Ba (cranial base length) did not show statistically significant correlation with PAS. Among angular variables, although MPA (mandibular plane angle) showed a negative correlation however it was statistically insignificant. Other angular variables like NaSe-Ba angle (cranial base angle), SNA and SNB did not correlate with the posterior airway space. Conclusion: The study concluded that craniofacial morphology does not have any significant bearing on the pharyngeal airway space. At best its role in pharyngeal airway discrepancies can be defined as secondary and contributory.