Assessment of Pharyngeal Airway Space and Hyoid Bone Position in Individuals with Different Facial Growth Patterns

Airway, Cephalometry, Hyoid Bone, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea , Sexual dimorphism (according to MeSH guidelines and alphabetical order)

1Dr. Hashmi K M
College / affiliation address with pin code:
Nitte (Deemed to be University), AB Shetty
Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences
(ABSMIDS), Mangalore, Karnataka, India –575018.
Designation: Post Graduate
Department: Department of Orthodontics and
Dentofacial Orthopaedics
ORCID ID: 0009-0002-8572-6865
Email Id: drhashminavaf@gmail.com

2*Prof (Dr) K Saidath
College / affiliation address with pin code:
Nitte (Deemed to be University), AB Shetty
Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences
(ABSMIDS), Mangalore, Karnataka, India –575018.
Designation: Professor
Department: Department of Orthodontics and
Dentofacial Orthopaedics
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9412-591X
Email Id: saidath@yahoo.com

3Prof (Dr) M.S. Ravi
College / affiliation address with pin code:
Nitte (Deemed to be University), AB Shetty
Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences
(ABSMIDS), Mangalore, Karnataka, India –575018.
Designation: Vice Principal and HOD
Department: Department of Orthodontics and
Dentofacial Orthopaedics
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5544-8799
Email Id: drmsravi@nitte.edu.in

4Dr. Achal Balachandran
College / affiliation address with pin code:
Nitte (Deemed to be University), AB Shetty
Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences
(ABSMIDS), Mangalore, Karnataka, India –575018.
Designation: Post Graduate
Department: Department of Orthodontics and
Dentofacial Orthopaedics
ORCID ID: 0009-0004-8581-2848
Email ld: achalbalachandran@gmail.com

5Dr. Shalmiya K I
College/affiliation address with Pin code:
Govt. Dental College Thrissur, Medical
college P.O, Peringandoor, Thrissur, Kerala,
India-680596
Designation: Assistant professor
Department: Oral Medicine and Radiology
ORCID ID:0000-0003-1045-3460
Email Id: shalmiya04@gmail.com

Received:11-05-2026
Revised:15-06-2026
Accepted:25-06-2026

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34(7S), 54–61

Assessment of Pharyngeal Airway Space and Hyoid Bone Position in Individuals with Different Facial Growth Patterns Structured

Introduction: The hyoid bone is an integral element of the oropharyngeal complex. Reduced PAS and an inferior hyoid bone position are linked to obstructive sleep apnoea and are orthodontically important. Objective : To assess and compare the relationship between pharyngeal airway space and hyoid bone position among vertical, horizontal, and normal facial growth patterns in males and females. Materials and Methods: This comparative study evaluated 102 lateral cephalograms, divided into three groups based on Jarabak’s ratio (n = 34 each): normal, vertical, and horizontal growth patterns. Each group was further subdivided by gender. Pharyngeal airway dimensions and hyoid bone position were measured manually by trained orthodontists. Statistical analysis included independent t-test, one-way and two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test, and Pearson’s correlation. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Significant differences in V–LPW and VP–HY were observed among growth patterns, while HP–HY showed significant gender differences. In the normal growth pattern group, VP–HY and HP–HY were significant. A negative correlation was found between PTM–UPW and HP–HY in females and between V–LPW and HP–HY in males. Conclusion: The horizontal growth pattern exhibited the widest lower pharyngeal airway, whereas the vertical pattern showed a more posteriorly positioned hyoid bone. Males had a more inferior hyoid position. With the reduction in upper pharyngeal width, there is a tendency for inferior positioning of hyoid bone in females. In males, with the reduction in lower pharyngeal width, there is a tendency for inferior positioning of hyoid bone.

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