Upper Airway & Apnea
topic
Obstructive sleep apnea is produced by the collapse of the upper airway during sleep — caused by anatomical factors (enlarged tonsils, retrognathia, excess pharyngeal tissue) and physiological factors (loss of upper airway muscle tone during sleep, especially REM, and the compensatory mechanisms that fail during the critical transition) — with treatment options including CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), mandibular advancement devices, positional therapy, upper airway surgical intervention, and weight management for obesity-associated cases.
Role
Upper airway anatomy explains why OSA is not simply a weight problem — while obesity increases risk substantially, OSA occurs across all body types and is anatomically determined in many lean individuals — and why the physical examination of jaw position, neck circumference, and tonsil size are important screening variables that most primary care appointments do not systematically assess. The generalist who understands the anatomical basis of sleep apnea can more accurately identify risk factors in themselves and others, and more critically evaluate treatment options based on the underlying anatomical mechanism rather than simply accepting the first-offered treatment.