CMT Breathing & Airway Disorders Flashcards
6 cards from real CMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CMT Breathing & Airway Disorders flashcards as text
What is the relationship between low tongue posture and the nasal airway?
Answer: Low tongue posture reduces support to the oral airway, indirectly narrowing the nasopharynx
When the tongue rests low on the floor of the mouth instead of the palate, it reduces structural support for the oropharynx, which can contribute to airway narrowing.
Which measurement tool is commonly used to assess nasal airway function in collaboration with ENT providers?
Answer: Rhinomanometry
Rhinomanometry measures nasal airflow resistance and is used by ENT providers to objectively assess nasal patency before and after interventions.
When should a myofunctional therapist use a nocturnal oximetry report in their practice?
Answer: To monitor treatment progress for airway-related sleep disorders
Nocturnal oximetry data, provided by the referring physician, helps the therapist monitor whether orofacial muscle training is improving nighttime oxygenation.
A child has been diagnosed with mild OSA and is referred for myofunctional therapy. What outcome does therapy aim to achieve?
Answer: Strengthen oropharyngeal muscles to reduce airway collapse during sleep
Myofunctional therapy aims to strengthen the tongue and oropharyngeal muscles to reduce the tendency for airway collapse during sleep in patients with mild OSA.
What is 'obligate mouth breathing' and how does it differ from habitual mouth breathing?
Answer: Obligate is caused by a physical obstruction; habitual is a learned behavioral pattern
Obligate mouth breathing results from a physical obstruction (e.g., enlarged adenoids, deviated septum) that makes nasal breathing impossible, whereas habitual mouth breathing persists as a learned pattern even after obstruction is resolved.
Why is lip seal important for maintaining nasal breathing patterns?
Answer: Closed lips create a barrier that routes air through the nasal passages
A competent lip seal at rest closes the oral airway, which passively redirects breathing through the nasal passages and supports correct tongue resting posture.