Abstract

JIMENEZ, Antonio; CARLOS VILLAFRANCA, Félix de; MACIAS ESCALADA, Emilio  and  DIAZ ESNAL, Belén. Physiopathology of obstructive sleep apnea. RCOE [online]. 2002, vol.7, n.4, pp.369-374. ISSN 1138-123X.

There are many mechanical factors that determine the permeability of the upper airway (UA). They all interact to achieve different luminal sections in the four pharyngeal sectors: nasopharynx, velopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. We must also consider the various pressures which are transmitted along the whole respiratory system. It is a complex system in which multifactorial observation must be carried out in order to determine the etiopathogenesis of the obstructive phenomena of the UA. 

Keywords : Upper airway; Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome; Breathing flow; Respiratory disturbance.