Assessment of Relation of Orofacial Structures with Pharynx among Males and Females: A Lateral Cephalometric Study.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the correlation between orofacial structure and oropharyngeal airway space.

Materials and Methods: It comprised of 160 individuals aged 14-24 years (males: 80 and females: 80), in which digital lateral cephalograms were taken. Linear and cephalometric analyses were performed in all cases.

Results: Ba-PNS, apw2-ppw2, hy-apw2, distance between tongue and posterior pharyngeal wall (t-ppw), and Hormion perpendicular and anterior nasal spine-posterior nasal spine (ANS-PNS) showed significant difference between males and females ( P < 0.05). Other distances such as Ba-ad1, Ba-ad2, Ptm-ad1, Ptm-ad2, PNS-ppw1, and apw4-ppw4 were statistically nonsignificant ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Linear and cephalometric measurements showed that Ba-PNS, t-ppw, Hy-ppw2, distance between Ho perpendicular and ANS-PNS plane, and apw2-ppw2 were higher in males as compared to females. Lateral cephalograms are useful in orthodontics in performing tracings in individuals with a potential risk of malocclusion.