Establishment of Pharyngeal Dimensions in Population of Haryana Using Cephalometric Radiographs

A study for pharyngeal dimensions in normal healthy population of Haryana by utilizing digital radiographs was conducted with an objective to establish normal pharyngeal dimensions using cephalometric radiographs and to observe age and sex related variations in these dimensions. A total of 120 subjects participated in the study out of which 60 were males and 60 were females with the age varying from1B-60years. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained by using standardized technique. Measurement of depth of pharyngeal cavity was done at the level of hard palate (depth of nasopharynx), soft palate (depth of oropharynx), tongue base (minimum posterior airway space) and the vallecula (depth of hypopharynx) in the cephalometric radiographs by utilizing IPAX-DICOM software. In males the cavity was deeper than females only at the level of tongue base and vallecula. As age advances the depth of pharyngeal cavity at the level of soft palate and tongue base reduces in males. The females were showing the significant reduction atthe level of soft palate only.