RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TONGUE AND SOFT PALATE DIMENSIONS AND THE SEVERITY OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

This thesis examines the relationship between tongue and soft palate dimensions and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by repeated narrowing or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. An enlarged tongue, increased soft palate thickness, or excessive soft palate length may reduce the diameter of the upper airway and contribute to recurrent episodes of apnea and hypopnea. These anatomical changes may also be associated with reduced oxygen saturation, loud snoring, fragmented sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Assessment of tongue and soft palate dimensions may therefore provide useful information for evaluating the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and selecting an appropriate treatment strategy.