One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that monitors and detects obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The system includes an oropharynx protection appliance (12), which includes a passive tongue retention structure (13) having an end portion adapted to prevent a pharyngeal portion of a tongue of a subject from collapsing and at least one anchoring structure (15) that is connected to the passive tongue retention structure and adapted to secure the passive tongue retention structure within the subject's mouth in a removable fashion. The system also includes a sensing system (14) attached to a portion of the oropharynx apparatus. The sensing system includes a sensor (16) to measure a position of the pharyngeal portion of the tongue to detect an obstruction of the oropharynx； and a wireless transceiver (17) to transmit data related to the obstruction of the oropharynx to a remote diagnostic device (18).
