THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LEGENDS IN FOLK THOUGHT AND WORLD VIEW

Rahmonkulova Gulsevar Samidovna

1st year student of the Faculty of Uzbek Language and Literature of the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi

Annotation. This article analyzes the role and significance of legends and legends in folk thought and worldview. The scientific basis of the fact that these genres of folk oral art have played an incomparable role in shaping people’s views on nature, society, goodness and evil, life and death is highlighted. Also, the figurative expression of folk thought, philosophical layers in the relationship between nature and man, artistic interpretation of values such as selflessness, faith, love and goodness are analyzed in the examples of the Kashkadarya oasis “Legend of the Creation of Kashkadarya” and “Legend of the Girl Kashka”. This establishes the role of myths and legends in the formation of national historical memory, understanding of spiritual identity, and national worldview.

Keywords: Folk oral art, myth, legend, folk thought, worldview, Kashkadarya, faith, devotion, historical memory, national values.

Folk oral creativity is one of the oldest and most natural forms of human thought. The history, spirituality, life experience, aspirations, religious and moral views, and ways of perceiving the world of every nation are primarily embodied in samples of oral creativity. In particular, myths and legends are genres that hold incomparable importance in the formation of folk thinking and in expressing its worldview. They have served to help humans understand the world, explain natural phenomena, and express attitudes toward concepts such as life and death, good and evil, loyalty and selflessness. In this regard, myths and legends are not only products of artistic thinking but also unique sources that embody the nation’s social, spiritual, and philosophical worldview.

Numerous examples among myths and legends clearly demonstrate how deep and figurative folk thinking is. For instance, ancient myths and legends related to the Kashkadarya oasis are vivid examples of such folk thinking. In the “Legend about the Creation of Kashkadarya,” the emergence of water is depicted as a source of life, embodying the people’s desire to live in harmony with nature and their religious views. According to the legend, in ancient times, the Kashkadarya region consisted of vast deserts and dry plains, where life was full of suffering due to the lack of water. At that time, a kind old saint living among the mountains, seeing the plight of the people, prays to God for mercy, and by God’s grace, a powerful spring bursts forth from the earth’s bosom. This spring flows through the valley, restoring life. The people call this water “kashka,” meaning white, clear water, and name it the Kashka River. Based on this event, the entire region is called Kashkadarya.

This legend reveals important aspects of folk thinking. First, natural phenomena are linked to divine power. That is, in the folk worldview, water is perceived as God’s mercy and a source of life. Second, the legend expresses the people’s sense of goodness and gratitude: people regard the appearance of water as God’s mercy and treat it with respect. Third, the metaphorical (symbolic) form of folk thinking is clearly evident in the legend: the word “kashka” signifies not just the whiteness of the water but its purity and life-giving quality. This demonstrates the artistic and semantic richness of the folk language and the ability to express deep meaning through words.

In folk legends, along with artistic fabrication, moral and educational ideas are strongly expressed. The “Legend about the Origin of the Name Kashkadarya” is one such example. Through the image of a beautiful and selfless girl named Kashka, it highly expresses the people’s spiritual values, humanity, selflessness, patriotism, and ideas of love and kindness. According to the legend, drought engulfs the land, all springs dry up, and people are left in despair. At that time, Kashka girl does not abandon her people and sacrifices her life to provide water for the homeland. She prays to God to save the people, saying, “Take my life, but let water flow here.” As a result, a river bursts forth from the earth’s bosom, but the girl herself merges into that river. For this reason, the people begin to call the river Kashka River and the region Kashkadarya.

This legend embodies several layers of folk thinking. First of all, it shows the people’s affection for nature and their perception of water as a symbol of life. At the same time, the legend sanctifies the image of a woman, her selflessness, and placing the people’s interests above her own life, which are important virtues in the Uzbek people’s spiritual worldview. Through the symbol of Kashka girl, the people have embodied concepts such as “selflessness,” “loyalty,” and “goodness.” Thus, in folk legends, one can see the people’s moral ideals through artistic images.

In both of these examples, we see that folk thinking is formed based on metaphorical expression, religious views, and social values. Myths and legends are historical sources that preserve various layers of the folk worldview from different periods. Through them, we learn how ancient people perceived the world, what beliefs they held, and how they understood life. In this sense, myths and legends are the people’s “oral philosophy.” They appeared before written sources but preserve deep philosophical content within them. For example, in many Uzbek myths, natural elements like water, trees, mountains, sun, and moon are depicted as symbols of vital force, blessing, and purity. This shows that folk thinking was formed in harmony with nature.

Furthermore, myths and legends express universal values such as the struggle between good and evil, the connection between humans and nature, labor, patience, and selflessness. For instance, in legends about “Koksaroy Spring” or “Aral Sea,” there lies a philosophical content warning about disasters resulting from human indifference or greed toward nature. This reveals the moral-didactic nature of folk thinking. Through their oral creativity, the people have taught lessons to generations, shaping feelings of goodness, patience, love, and respect for nature in their minds.

Another important aspect of myths and legends is that they serve as a means of preserving historical memory. Behind every legend stands a specific historical event or person. By expressing them in artistic form, the people have strived not to forget their history. For example, legends like “Bibi Seshanba,” “Girls’ Fortress,” “Chortoq Water” are connected to events in folk memory, religious beliefs, or ancient customs. All of them hold an important place in preserving folk thinking as social memory.

In today’s folklore studies, myths and legends are studied not only as artistic heritage but also as a source for researching “national identity (selfhood).” Because these genres are a unique model of folk thinking, expressing the people’s attitude toward their history, nature, and human values. By analyzing them, the people’s ancient philosophical worldview, social ideals, and aesthetic views are restored. For example, through the legend about the Kashka girl, we understand that the people depicted women not only as beauty but also as a source of life, a symbol of love and selflessness. This, in turn, shows the ancient respect of the Uzbek people for women and their sacred place in society.

In conclusion, myths and legends are one of the oldest sources expressing the historical layers of folk thinking, religious and spiritual worldview. They illuminate the stages of humanity’s artistic perception of the world and embody the people’s inner spiritual world, aspirations, beliefs, and views on life. Myths and legends are also highly valuable for modern humans because they remind us of the Uzbek people’s spiritual roots, living in harmony with nature, and values such as selflessness, goodness, and devotion to faith. Thus, myths and legends are a living bridge of folk thinking continuously extending from the past to the future.

References:

Jo‘rayev M., Saidova R. (2002). Bukhara Legends. A. Qodiriy National Heritage.

Imomov K. (1989). Myth. Essays on Uzbek Folklore. Volume II. Fan.

Uzbek Folk Myths. Uzbek Myths, Wisdoms, Legends. Ten-volume set. Volume 3. A. Qodiriy National Heritage.

Razzoqov H., Mirzayev T., Sobirov O., Imomov K. Myths and Legends.

Uzbek Folk Oral Poetic Creativity. Textbook. – T: O‘qituvchi

Rahmonkulova Gulsevar Samidovna, 1st year student of the Faculty of Uzbek Language and Literature of the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi

Preserving National Values — Our Duty

National values are the elements that make a nation truly itself and ensure its identity as a people. They distinguish us from other nations and, with their unique charm and originality, arouse curiosity and admiration in people.

Through our values, we come to know our roots and our true identity. National values are the spirit of the nation — the heartbeat that keeps it alive. Their sincerity, uniqueness, and inner beauty captivate every human heart.

What differentiates one nation from another are its language, traditions, clothing style, celebrations, and moral values.

For instance, our national values include the Navruz festival, the Uzbek people’s unique hospitality, respect for elders, and strong family unity.

Unfortunately, in today’s era of globalization, some young people are influenced by foreign cultures and begin to forget their own national identity.

The excessive impact of the internet, fashion, and foreign lifestyles can weaken our national values. Mixing languages in speech, ignoring national attire, or considering ancient customs as “old-fashioned” are dangerous tendencies.

Therefore, preserving national values is not merely about remembering the past — it is about protecting our future.

Young people play the most crucial role in safeguarding these values. If today’s generation deeply understands its history and culture, the future of our nation will be bright.

National values are first instilled within the family. Children learn from their parents’ behavior and their respect for traditions.

In educational institutions, subjects such as history, literature, and culture help awaken a sense of national pride among students.

Hence, every family and school must firmly uphold the fortress of national values.

In the age of globalization, national values are our greatest treasure. They not only distinguish us from other nations but also serve as a source of inspiration for the entire world with their unique beauty.

Our values are the bridge connecting us with our ancestors.

If each of us contributes to preserving them, future generations will take pride in their roots and heritage.

To preserve national values means to protect one’s homeland and one’s people.

Matnazarova Munisa Mahmud qizi was born October 2, 2006, in Xonqa District, Khorezm Region, Republic of Uzbekistan. Currently a student of Urgench State University.

Scale Theory

The fish is dead,

  but the armor is still holding.

   A mosaic of silver coins overlapping

     like roof tiles on a flooded house.

My mother hands me the knife—

a dull, rusted thing—

and teaches me the art of subtraction.

Scrape.

The sound is a zipper being forced open.

The scales fly off in a wet confetti

  sticking to my wrists

   decorating the sink

   in sequins of gray light.

We are unmaking the swimmer.

We are stripping the ocean off its back

until it is nothing but white, shivering flesh.

I push my thumb into the gill—

that red, feathery fan

that used to sieve oxygen from the dark—

and I pull.

The gutting is the honest part.

It is a wet, heavy sound. A release of secrets.

The heart   /   the liver   / the empty balloon of the stomach

all the machinery that made it alive

is piled into a plastic bag.

My mother washes the body until it is clean.

Until it forgets it ever had protection.

We burn it in oil and call it dinner.

But later, in the shower,

I find a single silver scale stuck to my collarbone.

A piece of the armor.

A fragment that refused to be swallowed.

Prototype_v1

00:00 [Fade in]

The project file is heavy.

I drag the timeline cursor back to the start.

We are trying to build a woman

out of mp4s and jagged pieces.

00:12 [Clip: Mother]

Zoom in: 200%

There is a track of water running down her cheek.

A silver tear / high definition / too sharp to look at.

Action: Add Text Layer.

I type the promise in bold font:

I will fix this. / I will carry the roof so you don’t have to.

I crop myself out of the frame

so there is more room for her comfort.

This is the First Daughter preset:

edit everyone else’s sorrow / until your own timeline is blank.

01:45 [Effect: Green Screen]

I stand in the center of the frame / head high.

But looking at the monitor / I know it is a trick of the light.

Opacity: 50%

I feel like a fraud in every scene / a special effect / a glitch in the system.

I am holding my breath / waiting for the error message.

Waiting to mess it all up.

If you turn off the filter

you will see I am just a scared girl

standing in front of a blank wall

waiting for the director to yell “Cut.”

02:30 [Import: New File]

My hard drive is full of corrupted footage.

Hearts that failed to export. / XYs that turned into static.

I was ready to shut the system down.

Drag and Drop: Him.

He appeared out of the blue / no color grading needed.

Suddenly the audio is clear. / The waveform is steady.

But I am hovering over the “Delete” button.

My hand is shaking.

I am terrified that if I press play

he will shatter into pixels like the rest.

Please, I whisper to the screen, don’t crash.

04:00 [Rendering…]

98%…

99%…

The fans are spinning loud / the laptop is burning my thighs.

I am waiting to become something permanent.

To be exported into a format that cannot be hurt.

But the cursor blinks.

Error: File still in use.

I am not finished yet.

[Cut to Black]

THIS LAND SPEAKS WOMAN

They found our bones beneath grinding stones,

hips wide as hunger,

ribs bent like spoons

from feeding everyone else first.

Our skulls still had hair in tight rows,

as if we were plaited even in death.

We did not die wives.

We died witnesses to how

the earth split for men

and swallowed women whole.

We were the cloth on the table,

the table,

the floor beneath it,

and still, we were asked to kneel.

You want to heal this land?

Then start with our names —

the ones stitched shut

into the hems of our mother’s wrappers.

We are in the dust,

the scent of turaren wuta and ash.

We are in the rivers,

flowing like truths too old for tongue.

We are in the cracked heels of ndị nne,

who crossed war zones

to pick pepper for soup.

Our voices grew sideways,

through floor cracks,

through the hum of songs,

through pestles beating yam to tears.

Our silence is not consent.

It is fury wrapped in ìrọ́ and bùbá,

a scream ground into millet

and spread in the sun to dry.

So when we speak, do not flinch.

For we do not knock.

We bloom through the rocks,

we crack the earth from inside out,

with bosoms plumped by famine,

and stretch marks like thunder

across a waiting sky.

Glossary

ìrọ́: Yoruba — a traditional wide wrap skirt worn by women

bùbá: Yoruba — a loose-fitting blouse, usually worn with an ìrọ́

ndị nne: Igbo — “mothers” (plural form of nne)

turaren wuta: Hausa — fragrant smoke used to scent homes and clothing

Farida Yahaya Tijjani is an 18-year-old Nigerian poet, scriptwriter, essayist, and spoken word artist. Her work explores themes of identity, resilience, and social justice, using creativity as a tool for healing and transformation. Her writing has appeared in national newspapers and is forthcoming in Aster Lit Issue 15. She also lends her voice weekly to NTA’s Nigerian Navy in Focus, where she scripts and edits the “Operation Delta Sanity” segment. Merging poetry with powerful storytelling to inspire change, Farida has performed across diverse platforms and has been recognized in both poetry and short story competitions.

THE PATH TO HAPPINESS 

Imagine a world where every morning smells of gratitude,

where hands are raised not to harm, but to embrace.

Where words are not weapons, but seeds of understanding,

and every glance becomes a prayer of silence and peace.

In that world, the old walk upright —

for the young have not forgotten them,

but follow their steps with respect.

Children play on green fields, pure of heart,

while bees whisper to them the secrets of flowers,

and the trees grow tall,

toward a sky that finally breathes

without smoke or pain.

Rivers flow clearer than ever,

carrying songs of gratitude to the earth,

each drop of water knowing its name,

each spring shining like a prayer of life.

No one measures the worth of life in gold,

but in kindness that glows from within.

Hunger is a forgotten word,

for every table is sacred,

and every heart an open temple.

Imagine cities that sing softly,

where streets smell of hopes

planted by human hands,

where people have understood that the earth is a mother,

not a servant.

That the bee is an angel,

and the forest — a cathedral of light.

And if we decided,

just once, all together,

to be thankful for every breath,

for every drop of water,

for every living being —

the world would change.

Evil would lose its home,

and happiness would find its path —

among us.

For the path to happiness does not

lead through struggle,

but through understanding.

Not through power,

but through gentleness.

Not through walls,

but through hands that plant,

and eyes that see the good.

Let the poem come alive.

Let it echo softly,

in every person who dares

to believe —

that the world can still be beautiful.

Maja Milojković was born in Zaječar and divides her life between Serbia and Denmark. In Serbia, she serves as the deputy editor-in-chief at the publishing house Sfairos in Belgrade. She is also the founder and vice president of the Rtanj and Mesečev Poets’ Circle, which counts 800 members, and the editor-in-chief of the international e-magazine Area Felix, a bilingual Serbian-English publication. She writes literary reviews, and as a poet, she is represented in numerous domestic and international literary magazines, anthologies, and electronic media. Some of her poems are also available on the YouTube platform. Maja Milojković has won many international awards. She is an active member of various associations and organizations advocating for peace in the world, animal protection, and the fight against racism. She is the author of two books: Mesečev krug (Moon Circle) and Drveće Želje (Trees of Desire). She is one of the founders of the first mixed-gender club Area Felix from Zaječar, Serbia, and is currently a member of the same club. She is a member of the literary club Zlatno Pero from Knjaževac, and the association of writers and artists Gorski Vidici from Podgorica, Montenegro.

First Flight 

The plane races along the runway

like a blue-eyed stag bounding step by step,

its beak raised, wings unfurled,

rising straight into the sky.

Through the window—

high-rises, trees, roads,

shrinking into toy-like shapes,

fields spreading like flat plates,

ponds boxed into tiny squares,

sheep and goats no bigger than ants.

The earth recedes behind

as the aircraft tilts its wings

to take a sudden turn—

just as we stray off a path

onto some slanting trail,

towards Fork, towards trail.

At thirty-three thousand feet

I peer downward into the haze:

black mist hides winding threads,

surely they are rivers,

holding in their flow

the innocence of our hearts.

Clouds appear—

flower-clusters, white, azure,

soft as carded cotton;

hills draped in blue veils of mist,

summits locked in embrace with drifting vapors,

and far beyond—

snow-mountains, ascetic, still,

their serenity like sages in meditation.

Overhead stretch white canopies of cloud,

and when the plane strikes them

its wings glisten, damp,

as if even the passengers’ souls

had been washed in a secret rain.

Then—enter the air hostesses,

voices honeyed,

words spilling with laughter—

smiling lips, eyes alive,

whispering through the hush of turbines,

fragrant as fresh jasmine.

At night, midair,

I glance below—

scattered glimmers blink back,

like stars shining

from the depths of earth itself.

Descending into darkness,

the city spreads in long-shot frames:

a dazzle of lights,

shimmering, blinding,

pulling you into wonder,

but also planting

an unfamiliar dread,

like a lone wayfarer on a highway

who, hearing a vehicle thunder close behind,

instinctively edges

toward the safety of the curb.

Lakshmi Kant Mukul is an Indian writer, poet, critic, rural historian and serious scholar of folk culture, born on 08 January 1973 in a rural family in Maira village, District Rohtas, Bihar province, India. His literary journey began in 1993 as a Hindi poet and since then, he has published three books in Hindi and has been published in more than two dozen anthologies and hundreds of journals. Apart from Hindi, he also writes extensively in Urdu and Bhojpuri and also translates them into English himself. His two published poetry collections are- “Lal Chonch Wale Panchhi” and “Ghis Raha Hai Dhan Ka Katora”. His published book on rural and local history is- “Yatrion Ke Najriye Mein Shahabad”.

He has received many awards for his work, including Aarambh Samman for his poetry writing in Hindi language, the prestigious Hindi Sevi Samman of Bihar Hindi Sahitya Sammelan. His English poetry has been published in many international anthologies and translated into many languages. The notable achievements of his literary career are – recognition as a farmer poet and expertise on the changes taking place in the rural environment in the global era. Having studied law, he has adopted the modern style of farming.

Postal address -LAKSHMI KANT MUKUL Village _ Maira, PO _ Saisar, SO _ Dhansoi, Buxar, Bihar [ INDIA] Mob.no._6202077236 Postcode – 802117 Email – kvimukul12111@gmail.com mob.no

Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute Primary Education Department Group 25 04

To my Dad

The mountain you lean on is my loving garden

Advice, your words are a necklace in my mouth

We are not always together my love

I love you, Dad

You are a family man and a true professional

Motherland and parents are dear to us

Shabbona misses your daughter every moment

Stay healthy, dear Dad   

Effect of the Herbst Appliance on the Airway                                         

Author: Durdona Sharifovna Ro‘ziboyeva                            

Email: durdonaroziboyeva22@gmailcom                           

Address: Tashkent, Uzbekistan                     

Educational Institution: Tashkent State Dental Institute

Annotatsiya:  Ushbu maqolada Herbst apparatidan yuklash yuqori nafas yo’llari funktsional holatiga ko’rsatgan ta’siri ilmiy tibbiy tahlil. Tekshiruv maqsadi ortodontik davolash jarayonida qo’shimcha tekshiruvgan Herbst nafas yo’llarining o’ apparati, havo o’tish dinamikasi hamda bemorlarga yordam bergan funktsional o’zgarishlarga qanday ta’sir ko’rsatishini aniqlashdan iborat. Olinganst yordam ko’rsatish, Herb apparati vositalari jag’ning oldinga surilishi orqali orofaringeal bo’shliqni davolashi, xavo ta’minotini yaxshilash va ayrim obstruktiv nafas yo’llari torayishini yordamga yordam berishi aniqlangan. Xulosalarning, Herbst apparati nafas yo’l funktsional holatini yaxshilashda muhim vosita bo’lishi mumkinligi ko’rsatib berilgan.Kalit so‘zlar: Herbst apparati; ortodontik davolash; yuqori nafas yo‘llari; orofaringeal bo‘shliq; havo oqimi dinamikasi; obstruktiv nafas yo‘llari; sefalometrik tahlil; jag‘ning oldinga surilishi; ventilyatsiya ko‘rsatkichlari; nafas olish funksiyasi.

Abstract: This article presents a medical-scientific analysis of the impact of applying the Herbst appliance on the functional state of the upper airway. The aim of the study is to determine how the Herbst appliance, used as an additional tool in orthodontic treatment, affects airway dimensions, airflow dynamics, and functional changes that benefit patients. The results indicate that the Herbst appliance, through anterior repositioning of the mandible, can improve the condition of the oropharyngeal airway, enhance airflow, and in some cases help reduce obstructive airway narrowing. The conclusions demonstrate that the Herbst appliance may serve as an important tool in improving the functional state of the airway.

Keywords: Herbst appliance; orthodontic treatment; upper airway; oropharyngeal space; airflow dynamics; obstructive airway narrowing; cephalometric analysis; mandibular advancement; ventilation indicators; respiratory function.

Аннотация : В данной статье представлен медико-научный анализ влияния применения аппарата Гербста на функциональное состояние верхних дыхательных путей. Цель исследования — определить, как аппарат Гербста, используемый в качестве дополнительного средства в ортодонтическом лечении, влияет на размеры дыхательных путей, динамику воздушного потока и функциональные изменения, приносящие пользу пациентам.Полученные результаты показывают, что аппарат Гербста за счёт выдвижения нижней челюсти вперёд может улучшить состояние орофарингеального пространства, повысить воздушный поток и в отдельных случаях помочь уменьшить обструктивное сужение дыхательных путей. В заключении отмечается, что аппарат Гербста может являться важным средством для улучшения функционального состояния дыхательных путей.Ключевые слова : Аппарат Гербста; ортодонтическое лечение; верхние дыхательные пути; орофарингеальное пространство; динамика воздушного потока; обструктивное сужение дыхательных путей; цефалометрический анализ; выдвижение нижней челюсти; показатели вентиляции; дыхательная функция.

INTRODUCTION The anatomical and functional condition of the respiratory tract is directly related to a person’s overall health, sleep quality, and daily activity. In particular, the narrowing or obstruction of the upper airway appears as a significant issue in many clinical situations, including sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and patients with orthodontic abnormalities. In recent years, scientific interest has increased regarding the influence of functional orthodontic appliances not only on the dentoalveolar and skeletal structures but also on the dimensions and patency of the airway. One such appliance is the Herbst appliance, which advances the mandible forward to correct the maxillomandibular relationship and may simultaneously enlarge the oropharyngeal space.

Evaluating the effect of the Herbst appliance on the upper airway is of high scientific and clinical importance, as it can help improve orthodontic treatment outcomes, enhance respiratory function, and reduce obstructive complications. However, the appliance’s impact on the airway—particularly airflow dynamics, ventilation parameters, and subjective breathing comfort—has not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, a thorough analysis of the functional mechanisms of the Herbst appliance remains a relevant research goal.

The primary aim of this study is to determine the effects of Herbst appliance therapy on anatomical and functional parameters of the upper airway, evaluate dynamic changes in airflow, and justify the additional clinical advantages of using this appliance during orthodontic treatment.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Studies investigating the effects of the Herbst appliance on the upper airway combine clinical, anatomical, and functional aspects. The main sources used in this article played a crucial role in shaping the research methodology, analyzing the results, and placing the findings into a broader scientific context. Harvold demonstrated, through clinical and cephalometric analyses, that Herbst and other functional appliances can enlarge the oropharyngeal space by advancing the mandible, thereby improving airflow. Their work served as an essential reference when interpreting the results of our study.

Kiliaridis and Björk evaluated the effects of the Herbst appliance in growing patients, showing that mandibular advancement expands the oropharyngeal space and reduces obstructive conditions. Their findings were used to compare age groups and treatment effects in our study. They developed a detailed method for lateral cephalometric evaluation, providing a reliable tool for analyzing airway anatomy. His methodology formed the basis for assessing oropharyngeal dimensions and mandibular displacement in our research.

Ferguson reviewed upper airway changes associated with orthodontic treatment, including functional appliances. This source supported the scientific rationale for evaluating airway enlargement and sleep-related outcomes in patients using the Herbst appliance. Bakke analyzed respiratory function changes in adolescents treated with functional appliances, specifically examining FVC, FEV1, and PEF parameters. This reference provided methodological guidance for interpreting spirometry results in our study.

These sources helped analyze the findings of our study and contextualize the biomechanical and clinical effects of the Herbst appliance on the upper airway. They also served as a scientific foundation for confirming the positive airway-related benefits of the appliance.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted using an observational-analytical design aimed at comprehensively evaluating the effects of the Herbst appliance on the upper airway. The methodology included the following stages:

1. Clinical Observation: Patients’ general somatic condition, craniofacial structure, subjective breathing changes, and adaptation to the Herbst appliance were monitored. An individual clinical chart was prepared for each patient.

2. Lateral Cephalometric Radiographic Analysis: Cephalograms were obtained before and after treatment to measure anatomical airway parameters. The following measurements were recorded: Oropharyngeal space width Anteroposterior and vertical airway of mandibular advancement Functional skeletal changes

3. Spirometry and Ventilation Assessment: Pulmonary function was evaluated with a spirometric device measuring: FVC (Forced Vital Capacity)FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second)PEF (Peak Expiratory Flow)Airflow resistance index Results were compared before treatment and after 6–10 months of Herbst appliance therapy.

4. Subjective Breathing Comfort Questionnaire: Patients answered a Likert-scale questionnaire regarding breathing comfort, nasal airflow, sensation of shortness of breath, obstruction episodes, and sleep quality.

5. Duration of Herbst Appliance Therapy and Biomechanical Parameters: Each patient used the appliance for 6–10 months. The degree of mandibular advancement, joint loading, and adaptation characteristics were documented.

6. Statistical Analysis: Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-treatment values. Correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between airway enlargement and spirometric outcomes.

RESULTS

The findings of the study were based on clinical observation, cephalometric analysis, spirometry, and patient-reported outcomes.

1. Increase in Oropharyngeal Space: Lateral cephalometric analysis revealed that mandibular advancement with the Herbst appliance significantly expanded the oropharyngeal space. The average increase was 2.3 mm, with the most notable changes seen in the lower airway segment.

2. Airflow and Ventilation Improvements: Spirometry showed enhanced pulmonary function following treatment: FVC increased by an average of 7%FEV1 increased by an average of 6%PEF increased by an average of 5.5%These findings indicate improved airflow dynamics and ventilation efficiency.

3. Subjective Breathing Comfort: 72% of patients reported easier breathing 65% reported improved sleep quality 58% experienced reduced sensations of obstruction or choking

4. Mandibular Advancement: Cephalometric analysis showed an average mandibular advancement of 2–4 mm during treatment, directly contributing to airway enlargement and improved airflow.

5. Statistical Findings: All parameters showed statistically significant differences between pre- and post-treatment measurements (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between mandibular advancement, oropharyngeal space enlargement, and FEV1 (r = 0.68, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that during orthodontic treatment, the Herbst appliance is effective not only in correcting dentoskeletal discrepancies but also in improving upper airway function. Mandibular advancement expands the oropharyngeal space, enhances airflow dynamics, and increases patients’ subjective breathing comfort. The appliance provides notable benefits for individuals at risk of upper airway obstruction, emphasizing its clinical relevance for reducing secondary respiratory issues.

The study concludes that the Herbst appliance contributes to both skeletal correction and improved respiratory function. Future research should include larger sample sizes and long-term assessment of treatment outcomes.        

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