Figure 1 Morphological structure of the soft palate was changed in the CIH exposed rat model. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to identify structure of (A) mucosa and (B) connective tissue in the soft palate of the control group and CIH group. (A) The mucosal layer became thicker when exposed to CIH, and squamous epithelial cells were enlarged and irregularly arranged. (B) Glands widely infiltrated into muscles, and oropharyngeal muscles obviously were destroyed in the CIH-induced soft palate. Scale bar is 100 μm.