Assessment of Relation of Orofacial Structures with Pharynx among Males and Females: A Lateral Cephalometric Study

AIM: This study aimed to determine the correlation between orofacial structure and oropharyngeal airway space. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It comprised of 160 individuals aged 14–24 years (males: 80 and females: 80), in which digital lateral cephalograms were taken. Linear and cephalometric analyses were performed in all cases. RESULTS: Ba–PNS, apw2–ppw2, hy–apw2, distance between tongue and posterior pharyngeal wall (t–ppw), and Hormion perpendicular and anterior nasal spine-posterior nasal spine (ANS-PNS) showed significant difference between males and females (P < 0.05). Other distances such as Ba–ad1, Ba–ad2, Ptm–ad1, Ptm–ad2, PNS–ppw1, and apw4–ppw4 were statistically nonsignificant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Linear and cephalometric measurements showed that Ba–PNS, t–ppw, Hy–ppw2, distance between Ho perpendicular and ANS-PNS plane, and apw2–ppw2 were higher in males as compared to females. Lateral cephalograms are useful in orthodontics in performing tracings in individuals with a potential risk of malocclusion.