Lecture 2: Velopharyngeal Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
1
Q
What is the velum and why is it important?
A
- Moveable mass of muscle separating the oral and nasal cavities
- Muscular extension of the hard palate
- Plays a critical role in closing the velopharyngeal port, the opening between the oropharynx and nasopharynx
- Important for both speech and swallowing 
2
Q
What are the names for the velopharyngeal muscles?
A
- Levator veli palatini
- Tensor veli palatini
- Musculus uvulae
- Palatoglossus
- Palatopharyngeus
3
Q
Levator veli palatini
A
- Origin:
- Temporal bone and cartilage of Eustachian tube
- Insertion:
- Palatine aponeurosis
- Function:
- Elevates soft palate
- Innervation:
- CN X (vagus) and CN XI (accessory)
4
Q
Tensor veli palatini
A
- Origin:
- Sphenoid bone, cartilage of Eustachian tube
- Insertion:
- Palatine aponeurosis
- Function:
- Opens Eustachian tube (main function)
- Tenses soft palate
- Innervation:
- CN V (trigeminal)
5
Q
Musculus uvulae
A
- Origin:
- Palatine aponeurosis
- Insertion:
- Uvula
- Function:
- Shorten uvula and pull it up
- Innervation:
- CN X (vagus) and CN XI (accessory)
6
Q
Palatoglossus
A
- Origin:
- Midline of soft palate
- Insertion:
- Side of tongue
- Function:
- Depress the soft palate
- Innervation:
- CN X (vagus) and CN XI (accessory)
7
Q
Palatopharyngeus
A
- Origin:
- Hard palate and palatine aponeurosis
- Insertion:
- Lateral wall of pharynx
- Function:
- Depress and tense the soft palate
- Elevate pharynx and larynx
- Innervation:
- CN X (vagus) and CN XI (accessory)
8
Q
What are the different velopharyngeal port closure patterns, and how do they change with development?
A
- Coronal:
- A-P movement of velum
- Sagittal:
- Lateral wall movement
- Circular:
- Velum and lateral wall movement
- Circular with Passavant’s ridge:
- Circular with anterior movement of part of the posterior pharyngeal wall
