Dynamics of oropharyngeal structures during respiration with the volume-altered tongue base of minipigs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-7765-2025-0722Keywords:
Oropharynx, Tongue Base, Videofluoroscopy, Respiration, MinipigAbstract
Objective This study aimed to analyze the functional adaptations of tongue base volumetric enlargement and reduction on the kinematics of oropharyngeal structures during respiration in a minipig model. Methodology Six same-sex sibling pairs of 8-to-9-month-old Yucatan minipigs were studied. Of each pair, one was diet-induced obese with a BMI>50 (obesity-associated volume enlargement) while the other was normal-weight and underwent partial ablation of the tongue base volume (volume-reduction). Real-time X-ray video fluoroscopic images (30 frames/s) were recorded under sedation, at baseline (before surgery) and 5 weeks postoperatively. Selected landmarks of the soft palate, epiglottis, tongue base, and pharyngeal wall were digitized frame by frame for 25–30 respiratory cycles. Directional movements and distance changes of these oropharyngeal structures were analyzed within the defined coordinate system using video-analysis software. Correlations between areas of airway spaces during respiration and biometric measurements of the dissected tongue at week 5 were included. Results During respiratory phases, movement distances of the soft palate and the pharyngeal wall were significantly larger in the volume-reduced group than in the volume-enlarged group at baseline (p<0.05). These moving distances were also larger compared to those of the volume-enlarged group at both time points. Similarly, distance changes during inspiration between structures (soft palate-pharyngeal wall, soft palate-tongue base, and epiglottis-pharyngeal wall) were significantly larger at week 5 than at baseline (p<0.05) in both groups. Positive correlations during respiratory phases were detected between tongue volume and velopharyngeal width in the volume-reduced group (r=0.86, p<0.05). Negative correlations occurred between retromolar space area and tongue thickness in the volume-enlarged group (r=−0.9, p<0.05). Conclusions These results suggest that oropharyngeal spatial dynamics are enhanced in the tongue base volume-reduced minipigs, with altered moving patterns during respiration. In contrast, smaller distance changes observed over time in the volume-enlarged group suggest continuous airway narrowing and potential restriction of airway dynamics.
Downloads
References
1- Castro D, Freeman LA. Oropharyngeal airway. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan- [cited 2025 Apr 27]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470198/
» https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470198/
2- Baker E, Chanamolu M, Nieri C, White SF Jr, Brandt J, Gillespie MB. The effect of tongue volume and adipose content on obstructive sleep apnea: meta-analysis and systematic review. OTO Open. 2025;9(2):e70067. doi: 10.1002/oto2.70067
» https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.70067
3- Yucel A, Unlu M, Haktanir A, Acar M, Fidan F. Evaluation of the upper airway cross-sectional area changes in different degrees of severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: cephalometric and dynamic CT study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26(10):2624-9
4- Edwards BA, White DP. Control of the pharyngeal musculature during wakefulness and sleep: implications in normal controls and sleep apnea. Head Neck. 2011;33(Suppl 1):S37-45. doi: 10.1002/hed.21841
» https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.21841
5- Rosero Salazar DH, Honnlee L, Nguyen PH, Willis E, Liu ZJ. Spatial relationships of oropharyngeal structures during respiration, chewing, and swallowing. Anat Rec (Hoboken). Forthcoming 2024. doi: 10.1002/ar.25605
» https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25605
6- Rosero Salazar DH, Liu ZJ, Ly A, Dong Y, Simnhoung AV. The dynamic shape changes of the tongue base during respiration, chewing and swallowing. PLoS One. 2025;20(4):e0315885. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315885
» https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315885
7- Chen S, Rosero Salazar DH, Liu ZJ. Effects of oropharyngeal neuromuscular stimulation on the volumetric enlarged and reduced tongue base in minipigs. Anat Rec (Hoboken). Forthcoming 2026. doi: 10.1002/ar.70189
» https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70189
8- Bigcas JLM, Okuyemi OT. Glossectomy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan- [cited 2026 Apr 27]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560636/
» https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560636/
9- Yang Y, Whiteman S, Gey van Pittius D, He Y, Wang RK, Spiteri MA. Use of optical coherence tomography in delineating airways microstructure: comparison of OCT images to histopathological sections. Phys Med Biol. 2004;49(7):1247-55. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/49/7/012
» https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/49/7/012
10- Arensburg B. Middle paleolithic speech capabilities: a response to Dr. Lieberman. Am J Phys Anthropol. 1994;94(2):279-80. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.1330940212
» https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330940212
11- Liu ZJ, Kayalioglu M, Shcherbatyy V, Seifi A. Tongue deformation, jaw movement and muscle activity during mastication in pigs. Arch Oral Biol. 2007;52(4):309-12. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2006.10.024
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2006.10.024
12- Shcherbatyy V, Liu ZJ. Internal kinematics of the tongue during feeding in pigs. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2007;290(10):1288-99. doi: 10.1002/ar.20582
» https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.20582
13- Štembírek J, Kyllar M, Putnová I, Stehlík L, Buchtová M. The pig as an experimental model for clinical craniofacial research. Lab Anim. 2012;46(4):269-79. doi: 10.1258/la.2012.012062
» https://doi.org/10.1258/la.2012.012062
14- Rosero Salazar DH, Grewal R, Vimawala A, Leotta DF, Levendovszky SR, Liu ZJ. Pharyngeal airway dimensions and adipose distribution in the minipig. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2025;15(1):77-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2024.12.004
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobcr.2024.12.004
15- Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A. G*Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods. 2007;39(2):175-91
16- Baba RY, Mohan A, Metta VV, Mador MJ. Temperature controlled radiofrequency ablation at different sites for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Breath. 2015;19(3):891-910. doi: 10.1007/s11325-015-1125-y
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-015-1125-y
17- Geradze N, Rosero Salazar DH, Nguyen PH, Liu ZJ. Oropharyngeal structural dynamics during mastication and swallowing associated with tongue base volumetric changes. Arch Oral Biol. 2026;186:106571. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2026.106571
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2026.106571
18- Liberti L, Lavor C, Maculan N, Mucherino A. Euclidean distance geometry and applications. SIAM Rev. 2014;56(1):3-69. doi: 10.1137/120875909
19- Dahlberg G. Statistical methods for medical and biological students. London: George Allen & Unwin; 1940
20- Brown EC, Cheng S, McKenzie DK, Butler JE, Gandevia SC, Bilston LE. Tongue stiffness is lower in patients with obstructive sleep apnea during wakefulness compared with matched control subjects. Sleep. 2015;38(4):537-44. doi: 10.5665/sleep.4566
» https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.4566
21- Ho AW, Moul DE, Krishna J. Neck circumference-height ratio as a predictor of sleep related breathing disorder in children and adults. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016;12(3):311-7. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.5572
» https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.5572
22- Chen L, Xiao T, Ng CT. The biomechanical mechanism of upper airway collapse in OSAHS patients using clinical monitoring data during natural sleep. Sensors (Basel). 2021;21(22):7457. doi: 10.3390/s21227457
» https://doi.org/10.3390/s21227457
23- Spyropoulou AP, Spiropoulos V, Spiropoulou G, Tsilivigos C, Spiropoulos K, Mastronikolis N. Surgical approaches in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a review of techniques. Pneumon. 2022;35(3):19. doi: 10.18332/pne/147971
» https://doi.org/10.18332/pne/147971
24- Shah NM, Kaltsakas G. Respiratory complications of obesity: from early changes to respiratory failure. Breathe (Sheff). 2023;19(1):220263. doi: 10.1183/20734735.0263-2022
» https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.0263-2022
25- Robinson S, Krishnan S, Hodge JC, Foreman A. Conventional tongue base volumetric reduction for obstructive sleep apnea. Oper Tech Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012;23(1):36-44. doi: 10.1016/j.otot.2011.10.002
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otot.2011.10.002
26- Shcherbatyy V, Perkins JA, Liu ZJ. Internal kinematics of the tongue following volume reduction. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2008;291(7):886-93. doi: 10.1002/ar.20699
» https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.20699
27- Perkins JA, Shcherbatyy V, Liu ZJ. Morphologic and histologic outcomes of tongue reduction surgery in an animal model. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008;139(2):291-7. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.05.018
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otohns.2008.05.018
28- Faiss KR, Naji A, Sharma S. Anatomy, head and neck, trachea epiglottic vallecula. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan- [cited 2026 Apr 27]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538223/
» https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538223/
29- Ma B, Kourmatzis A, Zhao Y, Yang R, Chan HK, Salehi F, et al. Potential effects of lingual fats on airway flow dynamics and particle deposition. Aerosol Sci Technol. 2020;54(3):321-31. doi: 10.1080/02786826.2019.1696014
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nino Geradze, Doris Haydee Rosero Salazar, Phuc Hoang Nguyen, Zi-Jun Liu
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Todo o conteúdo do periódico, exceto onde está identificado, está licenciado sob uma Licença Creative Commons do tipo atribuição CC-BY.
