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Comment
. 2020 Mar 15;16(3):345-346.
doi: 10.5664/jcsm.8270. Epub 2020 Jan 14.

The collapsing anatomical structure is not always the primary site of flow limitation in obstructive sleep apnea

Guilherme J M Garcia  1   2 , B Tucker Woodson  1
Affiliations
Comment

The collapsing anatomical structure is not always the primary site of flow limitation in obstructive sleep apnea

Guilherme J M Garcia et al. J Clin Sleep Med. .

Abstract

Garcia GJM, Woodson BT. The collapsing anatomical structure is not always the primary site of flow limitation in obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(3):345–346.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Diagram illustrating the concept that the site of flow limitation may be different from the site of airway collapse.
In a hypothetical patient, the nasal valve is the site of flow limitation, but the airway collapses at the soft palate and tongue. (A) In early inspiration most of the pressure drop occurs in the rigid nasal cavity due to a constriction at the nasal valve. (B) Once the local pressure falls below the buckling pressure of each anatomical structure, the airway collapses at that location, which further increases the pressure loss along the upper airway. Symbols: Patm = atmospheric pressure; Pb palate = buckling pressure of the soft palate; Pb tongue = buckling pressure of the tongue.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

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