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Pathology · single question

A patient has OSA and uses an oral appliance to treat it. How does the device work?

  1. Advances the mandible forward during sleep
  2. Increases nasal airway resistance
  3. Decreases the palatal vault height
  4. Retrudes the tongue
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Advances the mandible forward during sleep

  • A. Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) work by protruding the mandible during sleep. This pulls the tongue and soft palate anteriorly, enlarging the pharyngeal airway and reducing or eliminating obstruction.
  • B. OSA devices aim to DECREASE airway resistance, not increase it.
  • C. Reducing palatal vault height is not the mechanism of mandibular advancement devices.
  • D. The device advances the mandible, which INDIRECTLY brings the tongue forward — it does NOT retrude the tongue (that would worsen OSA).

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