How Cpap machines work: the anatomical science behind a noisy night-time lifesaver

By Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol

Every night, millions of people stop breathing without knowing it. Not once, but sometimes hundreds of times. Their remedy? A mask, a hum and the steady whisper of pressurised air.

It’s not glamorous, but behind the awkward nighttime aesthetics of a Cpap (continuous positive airway pressure) machine lies a remarkable piece of engineering. It doesn’t just help you breathe; it reshapes the way your airway behaves.

So how exactly does Cpap manipulate the body’s anatomy to prevent…

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