Alcohol and airway calibre: Does motor or muscle depression contribute to increased likelihood of obstruction?

The human pharynx is a compliant conduit for airflow, vulnerable at times to collapse, owing to suction forces generated during inspiration. Repeated obstructions of the upper airway occur during sleep, giving rise to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), which is very common (Benjafield et al., 2019). Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is a debilitating condition associated with a broad portfolio of morbidities, including cardiometabolic and neurocognitive impairments. Untreated OSAS increases the risk of premature death.