Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay
Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay
Introduction:
The soft palate is the posterior fibro muscular part of the palate that is attached to the posterior edge of the hard palate.1 It participates in most of the oral functions, especially in velopharyngeal closure which is related to the normal functions of sucking, swallowing and pronunciation.2 The palate is formed by the fusion of three components; the two palatal processes and the frontonasal process. At a later stage, the mesoderm in the palate undergoes intramembraneous ossification to form the hard palate. However, the ossification does not extend into the most posterior portion which remains as the soft palate.Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay. Early references concerning the objective measurements of the soft palate have been done by investigators for assessment of speech, function and the upper airway structures.3-11 Although these continued efforts toward the dimensional analysis of the soft palate and its surrounding structures have been made, little attention has been paid to the variety of soft palate morphology and configuration. Image of the soft palate on lateral cephalometry appears to have various morphologies in normal individuals, in contrast to the only one kind published in the literature. Pepin et al found the ‘‘hooked’’ appearance of the soft palate in patients who were awake, which indicated a high risk for the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.12
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the variation of the soft palate morphology and the proportional differences of the soft palate between the two gender groups. This study can be helpful for understanding the various morphologies of the soft palate in the median sagittal plane on lateral cephalograms. These findings may be used not only as references for the normal soft palate, but also for cleft reconstruction and the etiological research of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and other conditions.
Materials and Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study in department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal. Instructional ethical committee approval was obtained for the study. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of individuals subjected to radiographic examination for orthodontic purpose were retrieved for the study from the archives of departments of Oral Medicine and Radiology and Orthodontics. A total of 100 digital lateral cephalograms of normal healthy individuals (50 males and 50 females) who were aged 15-45 years were retrieved from November 2014 to February 2015.
All the subjects who had normal speech and function were included in this study. Radiographs of good quality and visibility of soft palate were included. Patients with facial or palatal deformities or facial trauma were excluded. Poor quality radiographs and radiographs with incomplete details were also excluded.
All lateral cephalograms were taken using orthopantomograph (Planmeca) with a tube potential adjusted to optimize the contrast. All the images on the radiographs were observed and classified into 6 types by 2 radiologists independently according to You M et al., (2008).1 The six types of morphology of the soft palate are as follows:
ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER NOW
Type 1: ‘‘leaf shape’’, which was lanceolate, indicated that the middle portion of the soft palate elevated to both the naso and the oro-side
Type 2: when the soft palate showed that the anterior portion was inflated and the free margin had an obvious coarctation, the radiographic appearance was described as having a ‘‘rat-tail shape’’
Type 3: a ‘‘butt-like’’ soft palate showed a shorter and fatter velum appearance, and the width had almost no distinct difference from the anterior portion to the free margin
Type 4 indicated that the image of the soft palate presented a ‘‘straight line shape’
Type 5: the distorted soft palate, presented the S-shape
Type 6 revealed a ‘‘crook’’ appearance of the soft palate, in which the posterior portion of the soft palate crooks anteriosuperiorly
The pattern of the soft palate on the digital lateral cephalograms was highlighted with curve tool in Microsoft power point. The assessment of the soft palate morphology was carried out twice by two radiologists. Since there were no differences in classification between the two radiologists, reliability was considered to be acceptable.
All the analysis was done using SPSS version 18. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Comparison of variation of soft palate morphology between males and females was done using Chi-square test. Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay.
Results:
A total 100 radiographs were studied for shapes of soft palate out of which 50 were males. The age of the subjects was 20.91±3.63 with age range of 18 – 45 years. Type 1 was most commonest shape of the soft palate (30%) followed by Type 6 (19%), Type 2 and 3 (17% and 17%), type 4 (11%) with least being type 5 (6%) (Figure 1).
A total of 50 male and 50 female radiographs were used for our study. Among males, Type 1 was the commonest (38%) followed by type 6 (22%), Type 2 and 3 (14 and 14) with least being type 4 and 5 (6 and 6%) respectively. In females, Type 1 (22%) was the commonest followed by type 2 and 3 (20 and 20%), type 4 (16%), type 6 (16%) with least being type 5 (6%). However, there was no significant difference in the distribution of shape of soft palate between males and females (p=0.312) (Table 1).
Table 1: Comparison of shape of soft palate between males and females
Type
Gender
p-value
Male
Female
N
%
N
%
1
19
38.0%
11
22.0%
0.312; NS
2
7
14.0%
10
20.0%
3
7
14.0%
10
20.0%
4
3
6.0%
8
16.0%
5
3
6.0%
3
6.0%
6
11
22.0%
8
16.0%
Chi-square test
Discussion:
Cephalometric analysis is one of the most commonly accepted techniques for evaluating the soft palate in both normal individuals and those with cleft palate. Cephalometry is a relatively inexpensive method and permits a good assessment of the soft tissue elements that define the soft palate morphology and its surrounding structures.1,8
Much of the former research that studied the soft palate and its surrounding structures was aimed at providing some information on diagnosis, prediction and treatment in individuals with cleft palate. The soft palate plays a large role in velopharyngeal closure, which refers to the normal apposition of the soft palate with the posterior and lateral pharyngeal walls. It is primarily a sphincteric mechanism consisting of velar and pharyngeal components. The movement separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity during deglutition and speech. Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay. When the velum and lateral and posterior pharyngeal walls fail to separate the two cavities, velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) occurs.1
In our study, the leaf-shaped soft palate was the most frequent type, which is an expected finding since this type was previously described as a classic velar morphology in the literature. This was in accordance with the previous studies reported in the literature.1,13-15 However, Type -2 (Rat tail shaped) was reported to be commonest by Praveen et al., 2011.16 While the S-shape was seen in only few cases, it can be supposed that the number of subjects in the investigation was not large enough. The S-shape, which was described as a hooked appearance of the soft palate by Pepin et al.,17 was found in 5.8% subjects in our study. They hypothesized that soft palate-hooking plays a key role in pharyngeal collapse, since hooking results in a sudden and major reduction in the oropharyngeal dimensions, which therefore dramatically increases upper airway resistance and the transpharyngeal pressure gradient. Pepin et al., therefore concluded that hooking of the soft palate in awake patients indicates a high risk for OSAS.17
In our study, the difference between gender didn’t exist in the comparison of the proportion of the various morphology of soft palate. This was similar to that reported by Praveen et al., 201116 while previous study by You et al.1 reported gender differences, wherein type 2 and 3 were significantly less in females than males. Type 1 was the most comments type among males and females in our study which was followed by type 2 and 3. This was similar to the study reported by Kruthika S et al., 2012.15
This classification can help us better understand the diversity of the velar morphology in the median sagittal plane. These findings can be used as references for the research of velopharyngeal closure in cleft palate individuals and for aetiological research of OSAS and other conditions.
Soft palate is an important part of oro-naso-pharyngeal apparatus. The morphometric assessment of soft palate is well-performed on computed tomography (CT).
Aim
To evaluate the morphology of soft palate in healthy individuals by using Computed tomography.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted on 300 healthy voluntary participants who were subjected to CT scan (sagittal view) of head and neck region. The measurements of antero-posterior and supero-inferior length of soft palate were performed by using Syngo CT 2009E software. Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay.
Statistical Analysis
The statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software version 16 and test applied were one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, chi-square and Karl Pearson’s co-relation coefficient.
Results
The participant’s age ranged from 18-80 years with mean of 39.51±14.64. The study had equal number of males (n=150) and females (n=150). Out of six shapes of soft palate, Butt type (38.7%) was the commonest. The morphology of soft palate in different age groups was statistically not significant (p>0.05). The total mean of antero-posterior length (30.31±3.39 mm) of soft palate was more than supero-inferior length (10.72±1.71 mm). The mean of antero-posterior length in males (30.69±3.42 mm) was more than females (29.92±3.32 mm); which was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean of supero-inferior length in males (10.67±1.78 mm) was less than females (10.78+1.64 mm), which was statistically not significant (p>0.05).
Conclusion
CT scan is an important diagnostic aid for studying the accurate morphology of soft palate.
Introduction
Soft palate is a mobile fibro-muscular part attached to the posterior border of hard palate, sloping down and back between the oral and nasal parts of the pharynx [1,2]. The palate is formed by the fusion of three components – two palatal processes and the fronto-nasal process. In the later stage, the mesoderm in the palate undergoes intra-membranous ossification to form the hard palate whereas the posterior part does not undergo ossification and remains as soft palate [2–4]. The hard and soft palate is easily palpable and identified by change in colour [1]. Soft palate plays an important role in phonation, deglutition, respiration and velo-pharyngeal competence [5]. This soft tissue structure has not been studied much. You M et al., [6] has laid down morphological types of soft palate.
The soft palate can be studied on lateral cephalogram and sagittal section of computed tomography (CT) scan. CT scan permits a good assessment of the soft tissue elements that define the soft palate and its surrounding structures [7,8]. Using CT scan, it is possible to analyse the boundary of soft palate and its position and accurate measurements are obtained easily.Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay. CT scan has minimal superimposition of structures and allows better visualization of minute differences of density than conventional radiographs. The morphometric assessment of soft palate on CT scan can be defined in terms of depth and height or antero-posterior and supero-inferior length in the median sagittal plane [7,9–12]. The soft palate has variable radiographic forms on lateral or sagittal imaging.
The existing literature reveals numerous studies on soft palate using lateral cephalogram but only one study till date using CT scan [13]. The present study was designed to evaluate the morphology and variation of soft palate through computed tomography in different age group and gender, as the statistical findings may help in understanding the velo-pharyngeal closure in cleft palate and in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
Materials and Methods
The present study was conducted with the permission of Institutional Ethics Committee of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University with protocol number SVIEC/ON/DENT/RP/1526, dated 17/10/2014. The total of 300 voluntary healthy participants, above 18 years of age were included in the study whereas participants with head & neck anomalies, intra-osseous pathologies, history of trauma/surgery, images with positioning errors, magnification or distortion were excluded from the study. After obtaining informed consent form in local language, each participant was subjected to CT scan of head and neck region (sagittal view). The shapes of soft palate was classified according to You M et al., [6] – Type 1: Leaf shape [Table/Fig-1a], Type 2: Rat Tail shape [Table/Fig-1b], Type 3: Butt like shape [Table/Fig-1c], Type 4: Straight line shaped [Table/Fig-2a], Type 5: Distorted/S-shape [Table/Fig-2b] and Type 6: Crooked shape [Table/Fig-2c]. The morphometric analysis for antero-posterior and supero-inferior length of soft palate was performed using mouse driven method i.e. by moving the mouse and drawing lines between the selected points on the sagittal sections of CT scan by using Syngo CT 2009E software [Table/Fig-3a,b].
Shows Sagittal section of computed tomography scan- (a) showing leaf shape, (b) rat-tail shape and (c) butt-like of soft palate (yellow circle)
Shows Sagittal section of computed tomography scan – (a) showing straight line shape, (2) S-shape and (c) crook shape of soft palate (yellow circle)
Shows Sagittal section of computed tomography scan – (a) showing measurements of soft palate antero-posteriorly and (b) supero-inferiorly
Statictical Analysis
The measurements were recorded in millimetres. The collected data was analysed using SPSS software version 16 and the test applied were one-way ANOVA, Independent t-test, Chi-square and Karl Pearson’s co-relation coefficient. Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay.
Results
In the present study, the age of participants ranged from 18-80 years with mean of 39.51+14.64. There were total 300 participants including equal number of male (n=150) and female (n=150) participants. The maximum numbers of participants were between the age group of 21-30 years.
Out of all the type of soft palate, the maximum number of participants had Butt type of soft palate (38.7%) [Table/Fig-4] and was seen more or less equal in male (19.7%) and female (19%) participants. Correlation of shape of soft palate with age group and gender were analysed by using Chi-square test and were statistically not significant (p>0.05) [Table/Fig-5,,66].
Distribution of frequency of shape of soft palate
[Table/Fig-5]:
Co-relation of shape of soft palate with age group
| Shape | Age Group (in Years) | Obtained p-value | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <=20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 | 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | Total | ||||||||||
| n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | ||
| Leaf | 03 | 01.0 | 29 | 09.7 | 12 | 04.0 | 19 | 06.3 | 13 | 04.3 | 08 | 02.7 | 02 | 0.7 | 86 | 28.7 | 0.741 Not Significant (p>0.05) |
| Rat – Tail | 04 | 01.3 | 18 | 06.0 | 13 | 04.3 | 14 | 04.7 | 08 | 02.7 | 02 | 0.7 | 02 | 0.7 | 61 | 20.3 | |
| Butt – like | 14 | 04.7 | 29 | 09.7 | 26 | 08.7 | 19 | 06.3 | 19 | 06.3 | 07 | 02.3 | 02 | 0.7 | 116 | 38.7 | |
| Straight Line | 04 | 01.3 | 05 | 01.7 | 03 | 01.0 | 03 | 01.0 | 04 | 01.3 | 01 | 0.3 | 00 | 0.0 | 20 | 06.7 | |
| S- Shape | 00 | 0.0 | 02 | 0.7 | 04 | 01.3 | 04 | 01.3 | 01 | 0.3 | 02 | 0.7 | 00 | 0.0 | 13 | 04.3 | |
| Crook | 01 | 0.3 | 01 | 0.3 | 00 | 0.0 | 01 | 0.3 | 01 | 0.3 | 00 | 0.0 | 00 | 0.0 | 04 | 01.3 | |
| Total | 26 | 08.7 | 84 | 28.0 | 58 | 19.3 | 60 | 20.0 | 46 | 15.3 | 20 | 06.7 | 06 | 02.0 | 300 | 100 | |
(n = number, %= percentage, p= Probability value)
[Table/Fig-6]:
Co-relation of shape of soft palate with gender
| Shape | Gender | Obtained p-value | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | |||||
| n | % | n | % | n | % | ||
| Leaf | 35 | 11.7 | 51 | 17.0 | 86 | 28.7 | 0.229 Not Significant (p<0.05) |
| Rat – Tail | 36 | 12.0 | 25 | 08.3 | 61 | 20.3 | |
| Butt – like | 59 | 19.7 | 57 | 19.0 | 116 | 38.7 | |
| Straight Line | 12 | 04.0 | 08 | 02.7 | 20 | 6.7 | |
| S- Shape | 07 | 2.3 | 06 | 02.0 | 13 | 4.3 | |
| Crook | 01 | 0.3 | 03 | 01.0 | 04 | 1.3 | |
| Total | 150 | 50 | 150 | 50 | 300 | 100 | |
(n = number, %= percentage, p= Probability value)
It was distinctly noted that the mean values for antero-posterior and supero-inferior length of various shapes of soft palate in both male and female when analysed by using one-way ANOVA test, the values were highly significant (p<0.05) [Table/Fig-7,,88].
[Table/Fig-7]:
Co-relation of antero-posterior length in different shapes of soft palate with gender
| Shape | n | Gender | Mean (mm) + Std. Deviation | Std. Error | 95% Confidence Interval for Mean | Minimum (mm) | Maximum (mm) | Obtained p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Bound | Upper Bound | ||||||||
| Leaf | 35 | Male | 32.58 + 1.20 | 0.203 | 32.17 | 32.1 | 30.10 | 35.90 | <0.001 Highly Significant (p<0.05) For both Males & Females |
| 51 | Female | 32.29 + 0.91 | 0.128 | 32.04 | 32.55 | 30.30 | 34.70 | ||
| Rat- Tail | 36 | Male | 31.21 + 1.17 | 0.195 | 30.81 | 31.60 | 30.10 | 34.70 | |
| 25 | Female | 31.10 + 1.36 | 0.272 | 30.53 | 31.66 | 28.20 | 35.80 | ||
| Butt like | 59 | Male | 28.12 + 3.38 | 0.440 | 27.24 | 29.00 | 25.40 | 37.10 | |
| 57 | Female | 26.25 + 0.62 | 0.082 | 26.08 | 26.41 | 24.20 | 27.90 | ||
| Straight Line | 12 | Male | 36.80 + 0.28 | 0.082 | 36.62 | 36.98 | 36.30 | 37.30 | |
| 08 | Female | 37.25 + 0.39 | 0.137 | 36.92 | 37.57 | 36.70 | 37.80 | ||
| S- Shape | 07 | Male | 30.30 + 0.14 | 0.053 | 30.17 | 30.43 | 30.10 | 30.50 | |
| 06 | Female | 30.87 + 0.58 | 0.239 | 30.25 | 31.48 | 30.40 | 31.80 | ||
| Crook | 01 | Male | 27.50 | . | . | . | 27.50 | 27.50 | |
| 03 | Female | 28.20 + 0.17 | 0.100 | 27.77 | 28.63 | 28.10 | 28.40 | ||
| Total | 150 | Male | 30.69 + 3.42 | 0.279 | 30.14 | 31.25 | 25.40 | 37.30 | |
| 150 | Female | 29.92 + 3.32 | 0.271 | 29.38 | 30.46 | 24.20 | 37.80 | ||
(n = number, mm = millimeter, Std= Standard, p= Probability value)
[Table/Fig-8]:
Co-relation of supero-inferior length in different shapes of soft palate with gender
| Shape | n | Gender | Mean (mm) ± Std. Deviation | Std. Error | 95% Confidence Interval for Mean | Minimum (mm) | Maximum (mm) | Obtained p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Bound | Upper Bound | ||||||||
| Leaf | 35 | Male | 10.12 ± 0.37 | 0.063 | 09.1 | 10.25 | 08.80 | 11.20 | <0.001
Highly Significant |
| 51 | Female | 10.18 ± 0.30 | 0.041 | 10.10 | 10.26 | 09.50 | 11.50 | ||
| Rat- Tail | 36 | Male | 09.84 ± 0.30 | 0.049 | 09.74 | 09.94 | 08.90 | 10.40 | |
| 25 | Female | 09.81 ± 0.54 | 0.108 | 09.58 | 10.03 | 08.30 | 10.60 | ||
| Butt like | 59 | Male | 12.47 ± 0.79 | 0.103 | 12.26 | 12.67 | 10.10 | 14.80 | |
| 57 | Female | 12.53 ± 0.54 | 0.072 | 12.39 | 12.68 | 11.10 | 14.10 | ||
| Straight Line | 12 | Male | 06.71 ± 0.25 | 0.073 | 06.55 | 06.87 | 06.20 | 07.20 | |
| 08 | Female | 06.76 ± 0.47 | 0.167 | 06.37 | 07.16 | 06.10 | 07.30 | ||
| S- Shape | 07 | Male | 09.54 ± 0.17 | 0.065 | 09.38 | 09.70 | 09.30 | 09.70 | |
| 06 | Female | 09.75 ± 0.10 | 0.043 | 09.64 | 09.86 | 09.60 | 09.90 | ||
| Crook | 01 | Male | 08.20 | . | . | . | 08.20 | 08.20 | |
| 03 | Female | 08.37 ± 0.15 | 0.088 | 07.99 | 08.75 | 08.20 | 08.50 | ||
| Total | 150 | Male | 10.67 ± 1.78 | 0.146 | 10.38 | 10.95 | 06.20 | 14.80 | |
| 150 | Female | 10.78 ± 1.64 | 0.134 | 10.51 | 11.04 | 06.10 | 14.10 | ||
(n = number, mm = millimeter, Std= Standard, p= Probability value)
It was observed that the minimum and maximum mean of antero-posterior length of soft palate was 24.20 mm and 37.80 mm respectively whereas the minimum and maximum mean of supero-inferior length was 06.10 mm and 14.80 mm respectively [Table/Fig-9]. Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay.
[Table/Fig-9]:
Distribution according to the total length of soft palate
| Length | n | Minimum (mm) | Maximum (mm) | Mean (mm) + Std. Deviation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antero-posterior | 300 | 24.20 | 37.80 | 30.31 ± 3.39 |
| Supero-inferior | 300 | 06.10 | 14.80 | 10.72 ± 1.71 |
(n = number, mm = millimeter, Std= Standard)
In the present study, when the dimensions were co-related with gender, it was observed that the mean antero-posterior length of soft palate in males (30.69±3.42 mm) was more than females (29.92±3.32 mm), which was statistically significant (p<0.05). But, the mean supero-inferior length of soft palate in males (10.67±1.78 mm) was less than females (10.78±1.64 mm), which was statistically not significant (p>0.05). These values were statistically analysed by using independent t-test [Table/Fig-10].
[Table/Fig-10]:
Co-relation of total length with gender
| Length | Gender | n | Minimum (mm) | Maximum (mm) | Mean (mm) + Std. Deviation | Obtained p value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antero-posterior | Male | 150 | 25.40 | 37.30 | 30.69 ± 3.42 | 0.048 Significant (p<0.05) |
| Female | 150 | 24.20 | 37.80 | 29.92 ± 3.32 | ||
| Supero-inferior | Male | 150 | 06.20 | 14.80 | 10.67 ± 1.78 | 0.574 Not Significant (p<0.05) |
| Female | 150 | 06.10 | 14.10 | 10.78 ± 1.64 |
(n = number, mm = millimeter, Std= Standard)
It was noted that Karl Pearson’s Co-relation Coefficient value when applied between dimensions and different age groups, it was 0.016 and 0.011 respectively for antero-posterior and supero-inferior length. The p-values were statistically not significant (p>0.05) [Table/Fig-11].
[Table/Fig-11]:
Karl Pearson’s Co-relation Coefficient (KPCC) with age and morphology of soft palate
| Length | n | KPCC (> 0.6) | p-value (p<0.05) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antero-posterior | 300 | – 0.016 | 0.781 | Not Significant |
| Supero-inferior | 300 | 0.011 | 0.849 | Not Significant |
(n = number, p= Probability value)
Discussion
Soft palate is formed by interweaving of muscles: tensor veli palatini, levator veli palatini, palatoglossus and palate-pharyngeus [1,2,10]. It plays a significant role in important functions of head and neck region. Soft palate can be studied on lateral or sagittal sections of conventional radiographs and advanced imaging. CT scan is an important and reliable tool for morphometric analysis of soft palate [7,8].
In the present study, the ‘Butt’ like shape of soft palate was the most frequent type (38.7%) and ‘Leaf’ type (28.7%) was the second common type. Various studies on lateral cephalogram have put forward ‘Leaf’ type as the most commonest [3,5,6,13]. This may be due to population related trait and study sample size. With intersex difference in the soft palate, we observed that the percentage of butt-like shape was more or less equal in males (19.7%) and females (19%) which was statistically not significant (p>0.05). Our result did not simulate with the studies of Kumar D et al, Guttal K et al., You M et al., and Kaur S et al., wherein the Leaf type was equally common in males and females [3,5,6,13], but Rat type was the most common type in the study of Praveen B. et al., [11].
ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER NOW
The growth of soft palate takes place in antero-posterior and supero-inferior directions. In the early years of life the growth is rapid. The growth curve takes place by the age of 1.5 to 2 years whereas by the age of 4 to 5 years the upward growth ceases [1]. In our study, the age and the morphology of soft palate co-relation was statistically not significant (p>0.05) which proves that there is no significant relationship between age and growth of soft palate. We noted that the overall mean of antero-posterior length (30.31±3.39 mm) was more than the supero-inferior length (10.72±1.71 mm) of soft palate.
In our study, the co-relation of gender with morphology of soft palate gave surprising results. The co-relation of gender with different shape of soft palate was statistically not significant (p>0.05). The co-relation of antero-posterior length and supero-inferior length in different shapes of soft palate was statistically highly significant (p<0.001).Radiographic Evaluation of Soft Palate Morphology Essay. The overall mean of antero-posterior length was more in males (30.69±3.42 mm) than females (29.92±3.32 mm), which was statistically significant (p<0.05). But, the overall mean of supero-inferior length was less in males (10.67±1.78 mm) as compared with females (10.78±1.64 mm), which was statistically not significant (p>0.05). These type of observation did not match with the existing studies [3,5,6,11].
The results of our study indicates that soft palate is an important structure in velo-pharyngeal closure and provides information for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment in individuals with cleft palate and in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
Conclusion
The morphometric analysis of soft palate on CT scan has helped us to understand the multiplicity of velar morphology. Our study may help as a reference for research pertaining to cleft palate/ velo-pharyngeal closure and in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. The results may differ geographically and depending on the oro-pharyngeal structure.
Notes
Financial or Other Competing Interests
None.
