Why is the Müller maneuver useful in evaluating sleep apnea?

The Müller maneuver is a specific diagnostic technique used to evaluate sleep apnea, particularly concerning airway collapse during inspiration. During the maneuver, the patient exhales fully and then attempts to inhale against a closed airway. This creates negative pressure in the pharyngeal area, simulating the conditions that might occur during sleep when the airway could collapse.

The primary utility of the Müller maneuver lies in its ability to identify weak sections of the airway that may contribute to obstructive sleep apnea. When performed, the maneuver can reveal how different parts of the airway behave under negative pressure. If certain segments of the airway collapse during this maneuver, it is indicative of an increased risk for obstructive events during sleep.

In contrast, the other choices, while relevant to sleep-related issues, do not specifically address the purpose of the Müller maneuver. Evaluating oxygen saturation is typically done through pulse oximetry, confirming snoring is more reliant on subjective reports or recordings rather than physiological testing, and measuring respiratory function usually involves spirometry or other pulmonary function tests that assess airway resistance and lung volumes, but not specifically the collapsibility of the upper airway in the context of sleep apnea.