Corticomotor control of airway calibre in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

The human pharyngeal airway is a compliant muscular conduit prone to narrowing and even collapse during sleep, when striated muscle tone naturally wanes. The supine posture typical of sleep is a further risk for airway occlusion due to the collapsing effect of gravity on anterior airway soft tissue structures, decreased lung volume associated with displacement of abdominal contents, and fluid shift rostrally, which combined conspire to increase...