What does the Müller maneuver assess in patients?

The Müller maneuver is a specific diagnostic test used to evaluate upper airway dynamics during respiration. During this test, the patient is instructed to forcefully exhale against a closed airway, effectively creating a negative intrathoracic pressure. This action helps to identify conditions related to the upper airway, such as potential collapsibility of structures like the soft palate and the pharynx during inhalation.

The maneuver is particularly useful in the assessment of sleep apnea and other airway obstruction syndromes. By creating a negative pressure environment around the airway, it allows for the observation of any tendency for the airway to collapse, providing valuable information about the structural integrity of the airway during breath efforts. This assessment is crucial in formulating treatment plans for conditions that can lead to upper airway obstruction and related breathing difficulties.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of respiratory function that are not specifically evaluated by the Müller maneuver, such as lower airway obstruction, lung capacity, and respiratory rate.