Snoring happens when relaxed tissues in the throat vibrate during breathing in sleep.

The longer version

During sleep, muscles of the tongue, soft palate and throat relax, narrowing the airway. Air forced through the narrowed passage makes the floppy tissue flutter, and that flutter is the sound. Up to a point it is simply acoustics. Anything that narrows the passage further, such as a crowded throat or a blocked nose, makes the flutter louder.

Body position, nasal congestion and throat shape all change how much noise results, which is why snoring varies from night to night. Sound levels differ enormously between individuals, and the noise often grows louder with age and with weight gain. Loud chronic snoring can accompany interrupted breathing, a pattern that clinicians distinguish from ordinary noise.

Where this entry sits

This collection gathers curious details about sleeping and dreaming, from nightly brain stages and body clocks to naps, yawns and unusual animal habits. It also covers how bedtime customs have changed across centuries, without offering any advice. The full list sits on the Sleep and Dreams page, where every entry is listed in order.