Sleep Apnea and Tongue Scalloping: A Simple Screening Test?

November 8, 2009

One of the most common exam findings that I see in people with sleep apnea is what’s called tongue scalloping. This is where you see ridges, or a scalloping pattern along with sides of the tongue, created by the tongue pressing against the side teeth. One study showed that having tongue scalloping was 70% predictive of the presence of obstructive sleep apnea.

Why does tongue scalloping occur? Multiple obstructions cause repeated vacuum pressures in the throat which suctions up your normal stomach juices, which includes acid, bile, enzymes and bacteria. These materials cause inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes, narrowing the throat even further, causing even more obstruction. The tongue also swells slightly and because sleep apnea patients have small jaws by definition, the teeth press into the sides of the tongue, leaving indentation marks.

If you combine this finding with a small mouth and dental crowding, along with a tongue that sits very high (which prevents you from seeing the back of the throat), you’ll have a very high likelihood of having sleep apnea.

Take a look in the mirror right now. Do you have tongue scalloping? Please post your answers in the comment box below.

Written by Steven Park · Filed Under Blog, obstructive sleep apnea
Tagged: ,sleep apnea, tongue scalloping

3 Responses to “Sleep Apnea and Tongue Scalloping: A Simple Screening Test?”

David Stillwagon on November 8th, 2009 8:44 am

that seems to be a problem with me because I can’t see the back of my throat.
I have also been told by doctors that my tongue is enlarged
Anonymous on November 8th, 2009 9:04 am

I too have tongue scalloping. I’ve often wondered why, when few of the people I know seem to have it. I have also had two sleep studies done over the last decade, and have been diagnosed with moderate OSA.
James R. Skinner on November 11th, 2009 1:09 pm

I noticed this problem with my tongue years before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I knew it mean something was wrong and in fact I had associated it with my sleep. On nights where I felt worse the next day the scalloping seemed worse. I brought this up with several doctors who all thought I was nuts to think there was some connection between my sleep and my tongue… I’m glad to find out years later that in fact there was a connection and logical explanation.

-James