Introduction The pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is complex and involves many anatomic and physiologic factors. The Fujita system for classifying the level of airway obstruction is often employed…

Introduction The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), its complex pathophysiology, and the suboptimal adherence rates with positive pressure therapy require alternative treatment strategies in many OSA patients. Hypoglossal nerve…

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a dynamic collapse and obstruction of the upper airway occurring in sleep due to decreased upper airway neuromuscular activity. At least 13% of men…

Introduction Cancer of the cervical esophagus has long been known as one of the most difficult neoplasms to treat and cure surgically. It is relatively uncommon, representing less than 5%…

Introduction The cricopharyngeus muscle is the major component of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The cricopharyngeus muscle is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus, which is composed of contributions from the…

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a state-dependent phenomenon in which the pharyngolarynx undergoes repetitive collapse. Retropalatal obstruction is often the primary site of sleep-disordered breathing. Traditional uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) as…

Introduction “Primary snoring” can be described as a symptomatic, sleep-related, respiration-dependent acoustic phenomenon with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of less than 5 and without complaints of daytime sleepiness. Snoring is…

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a state-dependent phenomenon in which the pharyngolarynx undergoes repetitive obstruction. For the otolaryngologist, the ability to phenotype the specific site(s), anatomic structures, and patterns…

Acknowledgments I acknowledge Hyunjoo Park for the illustrations in this chapter. Introduction The hypopharynx is a complex anatomic region that begins at the level of the hyoid and terminates at…

Introduction First-line surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in both pediatric and adult patients is adenotonsillectomy and has often been uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in adults. When initial medical or surgical treatment…