Evaluation of velopharyngeal closure paterns according to age groups and sexuality

ABSTRACTEvaluation Of Velopharyngeal Closure Paterns According To Age Groups AndSexuality.Velopharyngeal region has an important role on formation of voice during speech. It has 4types of closure patterns: coronal, sagittal, circular and Passavant?s circular.Velopharyngeal insufficiency occur in those who have deficient velopharyngeal closure.Treatment modalities can be figured out according to the velopharyngeal closure patern.Nasal endoscopy is one of the most prefered processes to evaluate the palate andvelopharyngeal region during speech. It is used to observe the functions of velum, lateral andposterior wall movements, and other anatomic structures of pharynx by using either a rigid orflexible endoscope. Nasal endoscopy can help to classify the pattern of velopharyngeal closureand determine velopharyngeal insufficiency.The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of velopharyngeal closure pattern due tothe anatomical change of this region with age and sexuality.240 people those do not have any velopharyngeal problem were divided into groupsaccording to their ages and each group were evaluated with nasal endoscopy for the closurepattern of velopharyngeal region. Any differences for the closure pattern of velopharynx betweenthe age groups and the sexuality were searched. We aimed to utilize the results for the treatmentof velopharyngeal insufficiency.At the end of the study, we observed no statistically meaningful difference for thevelopharyngeal closure pattern between the age groups and sexuality.Keywods: Age groups, closure patern, nasal endoscopy, velopharyngeal region.