Open mouth posture and cross-sectional nasal area in young children

Authors

Gloria D. Kellum, University of Mississippi
Alan M. Gross, University of Mississippi
Michael Walker, University of Mississippi
Monica Foster, University of Mississippi
Diane Franz, University of Mississippi
Cathy Michas, University of Mississippi
F. W. Bishop, University of Mississippi

Abstract

A biracial sample of two-hundred ninety-six children were assessed for open-mouth posture (OMP) in the natural environment. In addition, rhinometry was performed on 288 of the youngsters. Means were computed for percent OMP and cross-sectional nasal airway. Results indicated that in general these children exhibited relatively high rates of OMP. Boys displayed significantly greater OMP than girls. However, children exhibiting OMP on 80% of the observation intervals had significantly smaller cross-sectional nasal areas than the youngsters who displayed OMP on fewer than 20% of observation intervals. The implications of the findings were discussed.

Keywords

open mouth posure, nasal area, racial comparison, sex comparison, pediatric

Suggested Citation

Kellum, G. D., et al. (1993). Open mouth posture and cross-sectional nasal area in young children. International Journal of Orofacial Myology, 19(1), 25-28.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.1993.19.1.4