The jaw moves down and back, causing the base of the tongue to move toward the back of the throat. This narrows the airspace and often results in snoring. Sometimes the snorer is still capable of breathing through the nose, even with constricted nasal breathing, but must exert more effort to draw air through the nasal airway. The additional effort produces a greater vacuum in the throat, which further collapses the throat tissues and reduces the airspace. Several other structural factors can increase the chances that the airway in the throat will narrow during sleep and cause snoring.
Obesity can cause increased fat deposits in the throat which can narrow the air passage.
This condition is a predisposing factor. Enlarged tongue and uvula can narrow the airway. Receding chin caused by an incorrectly positioned jaw can narrow the airway. In children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids can cause disruptive snoring that is often a sign of less than restful sleep. Sleeping on your back may also worsen a snoring condition.