The effects of lymphadenoid hypertrophy on the position of the tongue, the mandible and the hyoid bone

The effect of hypertrophic adenoid tissue on the position of the tongue, the mandible and the hyoid bone was investigated by comparing cephalometric measurements in 117 children, of average age 9 years 4 months, who were consistent mouth breathers with Class I malocclusions, and 56 children of similar age with ideal occlusion, good facial balance and no evidence of obstruction of the nasal airway. In the mouth breathers the tongue was positioned more forwards and downwards, the mandible showed a significant downward inclination and the hyoid bone appeared to follow the inclination of the mandibular plane.