Correlation between of nasopharyngeal dimensions and craniofacial structure in 8–15-year-olds: a cross-sectional study

Chantyka Rosady, Mimi Marina Lubis

Abstract


Introduction: Nasopharyngeal dimensions are closely associated with craniofacial structures. Changes in the nasopharynx during facial growth may influence craniofacial development. This study aimed to analyze the correlations between nasopharyngeal dimensions and craniofacial structures in children aged 8–15 years. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design, based on lateral cephalometry in 66 children aged 8–15 years who attended the Orthodontic Clinic, Universitas Sumatera Utara, from June-December 2022. All participants had skeletal and dental Class I relationships, no harmful habits, and were not on long-term medication. The study measured nasopharyngeal dimensions, including the mean and standard deviation of bony and soft tissue components, and craniofacial structures such as maxillary length, mandibular length, and lower anterior facial height. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and Pearson’s correlation test. Results: The posterior height of the nasal cavity had the highest mean value among nasopharyngeal measurements (53.99 ± 4.30 mm). Among soft tissue parameters, AD1–PNS showed the greatest mean (24.99 ± 4.70 mm) compared with PTV–AD and AD2–PNS. The mandibular length exceeded the maxillary length, and the lower anterior facial height averaged 117.74 ± 8.57 mm. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed significant correlations (p<0.05) between nasopharyngeal dimensions and craniofacial structures. The nasal floor length, posterior height of the nasal cavity, bony nasopharynx height and depth, and soft tissue measures (AD1–PNS, PTV–AD) were significantly correlated with maxillary and mandibular lengths and lower anterior facial height. Conclusion: The posterior height of the nasal cavity demonstrated the highest average value, and mandibular length was greater than maxillary length. In children aged 8–15 years, nasopharyngeal dimensions were correlated with craniofacial structures, with the exception of the nasopharyngeal depth angle and roof angle of the bony nasopharynx.   


Keywords


Craniofacial structures, lateral cephalogram, nasopharyngeal dimensions

Full Text:

PDF

References


Norton NS. Pharynx. In: Netter’s Head and Neck Anatomy for Dentistry. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2017.pp. 426–9.

Loukas M, Tubbs RS, Feldman J. Nasogastric Tube Placement. In: Netter’s Introduction To Clinical Procedures. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2017.pp. 225–7.

Cohen O, Betito HR, Adi M, Galitz YS, Halperin D, Lahav Y. Development of the Nasopharynx: A Radiological Study of Children. Clinical Anatomy; 2019.pp.1– 6. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.23530

Buyukcavus MH, Kocakara G. Cephalometric Evaluation of Nasopharyngeal Airway and Hyoid Bone Position in Subgroups of Class II Malocclusions. ODOVTOS-Int. J Dent Sc. 2020; 23(1): 155–67. https://doi.org/15517/IJDS.2021.43860

Capote R, Preston K, Kapadia H. Craniofacial Growth and Development. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin N Am. 2023;35(4):501-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coms.2023.04.007

Kim B, Lee J, Ra J. Factors Influencing Upper Airway Dimensions in Skeletal Class Ⅱ Children and Adolescents: A CBCT Study. J Korean Acad Pediatr Dent. 2021; 48(1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.5933/JKAPD.2021.48.1.1

Chianchitlert A, Luppanapornlarp S, Saenghirunvattana B, Sirisoontorn I. A Comparative Assessment of the Upper Pharyngeal Airway Dimensions among Different Anteroposterior Skeletal Patterns in 7–14-Year-Old Children: A Cephalometric Study. Children. 2022; 9(8): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9081163.

Albert AM, Payne AL, Brady SM, Wright C. Craniofacial Changes in Children- Birth to Late Adolescence. ARC Journal of Forensic Science. 2019; 4(1): 1–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2456-0049.0401001

Pawłowska-Seredyńska K, Umławska W, Resler K, Morawska-Kochman M, Pazdro-Zastawny K, Kręcicki T. Craniofacial proportions in children with adenoid or adenotonsillar hypertrophy are related to disease duration and nasopharyngeal obstruction. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;132:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.109911

Ahlat EM, Ertuğrul F, Baydaş B, Ersin N, Ghabchi B. The effect of adenoid hypertrophy on growth-development level and dental maturation: a 15-year retrospective radiographs study. BMC Oral Health. 2025;25(1):1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06600-3

Singh G. Role of Homoeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Adenoid Hypertrophy. IJSRA. 2019; 9(11): 861–2. https://doi.org/10.21275/SR201116174531

Zhao Z, Zheng L, Huang X, Li C, Liu J, Hu Y. Effects of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health. 2021;21(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01458-7

Yu JL, Tangutur A, Thuler E, Evans M, Dedhia RC. The role of craniofacial maldevelopment in the modern OSA epidemic: a scoping review. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(4):1187-1202. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.9866

Saadia M, Valencia R. Diagnosis: Key for Excellent Results. In: Dentofacial Orthopedics in the Growing Child. 1st ed. Mexico: Wiley Blackwell; 2022.pp. 216– 59. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119720218.ch8

Unal BK, Soydinc SP. Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Analysis of Pharyngeal Airway Among Different Skeletal Facial Types. Int J Acad Med Pharm. 2021;3(2):155-162. https://doi.org/10.29228/jamp.49506

Liang C, Profico A, Buzi C, et al. Normal human craniofacial growth and development from 0 to 4 years. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36646-8

Evälahti M. Craniofacial Growth and Development of Finnish Children A longitudinal study. Dissertation. Helsinki: University of Helsinki. 2020:39-46.

Haerian A, Toodehzaeim MH, Rafiei. E, Aghaei F, Tehrani PF. Nasopharyngeal Space In Patients With Vertical Growth Pattern And Different Anterior Posterior Malocclusions. J Dent Probl Solut. 2021; 8(2): 47–51. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9021-9484

Moideen SP, Mytheenkunju R, Nair AG, Mogarnad M, Afroze MKH. Role of Adenoid-Nasopharyngeal Ratio in Assessing Adenoid Hypertrophy. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. 2019; 71(Suppl): 469–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-018-1359-7

Al-Jewair T, Marwah S, Preston CB, Wu Y, Yu G. Correlation Between Craniofacial Structures, Anthropometric Measurements, And Nasopharyngeal Dimensions In Black Adolescents. Int Orthod. 2021;19 :96–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ortho.2021.01.002

Diwakar R, Kochhar AS, Gupta H, Kaur H, Sidhu MS. Skountrianos H et al. Effect of Craniofacial Morphology on Pharyngeal Airway Volume Measured Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)—A Retrospective Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18 :1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18095040.

Fathi H, Rabei EM, Kabiri S, Baghban AA, Soheilifar S, Nouri M. Craniofacial and Airway Growth in 9–11 Years Old Normal Dental Occlusion in Iranian Adolescents: A Longitudinal Cephalometric Study. Dent Hypotheses. 2017; 8(1): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.4103/denthyp.denthyp_55_16

Zhan X, He W, Xu M, Ji J, Hu W, Tai J. The effect of adenoid hypertrophy duration on craniofacial development. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2025;195:112397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2025.112397

Ponnada SR, Ganugapanta VR, Mandaloju SP. Airway Analysis in Skeletal Class I and Class II Subjects with Different Growth Patterns: A 2D Cephalometric Study. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2020; 12(1): 61–7. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_49_20

Lomauro A, Aliverti A. Sex Differences In Respiratory Function. Breathe. 2018; 14(2): 131–40. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.000318

Lubis HF, Simanjuntak NU. The Relationship Between Maxillary And Mandibular Lengths Of Ethnic Bataks Of Chronological Age 9–15 Years. Dentistry Magazine 2022; 55(2): 88–92. https://doi.org/10.20473/j.djmkg.v55.i2.p88-92

Sihombing TR, Lubis MM. Relationship between Cervical Vertebra Maturity Level and Mandibular Length. Journal of Dentistry, Padjadjaran University. 2020; 32(3): 205-11. https://doi.org/10.24198/jkg.v32i3.28300

Lindawati, Hayati K, Komalawati. Anterior Lower Facial Height in Students of the Faculty of Dentistry, Syiah Kuala University, Aceh Tribe. Journal Caninus Denstistry. 2016; 1(4): 70–5.

Robert WE, Huja SS. Bone Physiology, Metabolism, and Biomechanics in Orthodontic Practice. In: Orthodontics Current Principles And Techniques. 6th ed. Missouri: Elsevier; 2017.pp. 99–154.

Obilor, Isaac E, Amadi, Chikweru E. Test for Significance of Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. International Journal of Innovative Mathematics, Statistics & Energy Policies. 2018; 6(1): 11–23

Anandarajaha S, Dudhiab R, Sandhamc A, Sonnesend L. Risk Factors For Small Pharyngeal Airway Dimensions In Preorthodontic children: A three-dimensional study. Angle Orthodontist.2017; 87(1): 138–46. https://doi.org/10.2319/012616-71.1.

Mehta S, Bajaj K, Nagpal E, Sharma S, Mittal K, Jharwal V. Assessment of the Relationship between Adenoid Tissue and Mandibular Prognathism: A Cephalometric Study. Journal of Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology. 2018; 3(2): 50–3. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10057-0076




DOI: https://doi.org/10.24198/pjd.vol37no3.63459

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


 

Creative Commons License All publications by the Universitas Padjadjaran [e-ISSN: 2549-6212, p-ISSN: 1979-0201] are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

Visitor Stat