Mathematical analysis of the upper respiratory tract from an anthropometric study.

In order to design a new, performed tracheal tube adapted to the shape of the upper respiratory tract, we have undertaken an anthropometric study from lateral x-rays of the neck in 130 patients with the head in a fixed position. In order to assess different clinical situations, we studied three groups of patients: group 1 = sitting, no tracheal tube; group 2 = supine, no tracheal tube; group 3 = supine, trachea intubated. We defined a standard coordinate system and determined mathematical curves for segments of the upper respiratory tract by a polynomial regression method. With these data it was possible to study the effects of physiological variations on the shape of the curves. It was then possible to determine at which region changes occur and the factors influencing these changes. We found that the relative position of the larynx was constant, whereas the hypopharynx exhibited the greatest change with the position of the head. These observations should allow us to construct a new, performed tracheal tube with elastic compliance properties to fit the changes occurring in the region of the hypopharynx.