A large proportion of the population either snores or suffers the snor
ing of others, Recent advances with the use of fibre-optic endoscopes
have enabled surgeons to observe the inside of the pharynx while a pat
ient is asleep and snoring, In this article we look at the underlying
structure of the upper airway and explain, with the use of simple mech
anical models, the aerodynamic events occurring inside the upper airwa
y during snoring.