Anatomy of the palate Flashcards
What comprises the internal skeleton of the hard palate?
The palatine process of maxillary bones and the horizontal plate of palatine bones.
What are the two functions of the soft palate?
It presses against the tongue to hold food in the oral cavity and presses against the roof of the pharynx to prevent food passing into the nasal cavity.
What is the soft palate comprised of?
The palatine aponeurosis (group of tendons) and the overlying mucosa.
What are the fauces?
The passageway from the oral cavity to the pharynx. The lateral boundaries are the faucial pillars.
What comprises the faucial pillars?
The palatoglossal arch and the palatopharyngeal arch.
What is the palatoglossal arch?
A fold of mucosa overlying the palatoglossus muscle.
What is the palatopharyngeal arch?
A fold of mucosa overlying the palatopharyngeal arch.
What is the only muscle of the palate not innervated by the vagus nerve?
The tensor veli palatini. It is derived from pharyngeal arch 1 and is innervated by CN V3 (instead of pharyngeal arch 4 like the other palate muscles).
What is the origin and insertion of the palatopharyngeus muscle?
It originates on the soft palate and inserts on the thyroid cartilage.
What is the function of the palatopharyngeus muscle?
Elevates the thyroid cartilage to help close the laryngeal orifice and open the laryngopharynx during swallowing.
What is the origin and insertion of the musculus uvulae muscle?
It originates on the soft palate and inserts on the uvula.
What is the function of the musculus uvulae?
It shortens and elevates the uvula.
What is the origin and insertion of the tensor veli palatini?
It originate on the skull and auditory tube and inserts on the soft palate.
What is the function of the tensor veli palatini?
It tenses the palate during swallowing/mastication. Also helps open the membranous portion of the auditory tube.
What is the origin and insertion of the levator veli palatini?
It originates on the skull and auditory tube and inserts on the soft palate.
