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Control of the pharyngeal musculature during wakefulness and sleep: Implications in normal controls and sleep apnea
Author(s) -
Edwards Bradley A.,
White David P.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21841
Subject(s) - airway , wakefulness , sleep (system call) , medicine , obstructive sleep apnea , sleep apnea , pharyngeal muscles , apnea , respiratory system , anesthesia , muscles of respiration , anatomy , electroencephalography , psychiatry , computer science , operating system
Respiration involves the complex coordination of several pump and upper airway/pharyngeal muscles. From a respiratory perspective, the major function of the pharyngeal muscles is to keep the airway patent allowing for airflow in and out of the lung with minimal work by the respiratory pump muscles. The activity of each of the pharyngeal muscles varies depending on its function, but many reduce their activity during sleep. In healthy individuals, these muscles can respond to respiratory stimuli during sleep to prevent airway collapse. However, in individuals with an anatomically small airway, the muscles cannot always compensate for the increased mechanical load. Thus a vulnerable situation in which the airway is prone to collapse may occur with the development of obstructive sleep apnea. This article describes the current understanding regarding the control of the pharyngeal musculature during wakefulness and sleep, as well as the implications for obstructive sleep apnea. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck , 2011