Muscles of soft palate

Question 1

PALATOPHARYGEUS

Answer 1

ORIGIN -Palatine aponeurosis and posterior border of hard palate of oral cavity

INSERTION- Lateral wall of pharynx
upper border of thyroid cartilage

INNERVATION-X – pharyngeal plexus

ACTION- Elevation of the larynx
Elevation of the pharynx
Shortens and widens the pharynx
Aids swallowing by acting to help close the nasopharynx

Question 2

MUSCULAR UVULAE

Answer 2

ORIGIN- Palatine aponeurosis
Posterior nasal spine

INSERTION- Mucous membrane of uvula (muscle of the opposite side)

INNERVATION- X – pharyngeal plexus

ACTION- Shortens and broadens the uvula (elevates and pulls uvula laterally)

Question 3

PALATOGLOSSUS

Answer 3

ORIGIN- Palatine
aponeurosis

INSERTION- Side of tongue

INNERVATION- X-pharyngeal plexus

ACTION- Elevates the posterior part of the tongue and draws the soft palate onto tongue

Question 4

TENSOR VELI PALATINI

Answer 4

ORIGIN- Scaphoid fossa of sphenoid and cartilaginous part of auditory tube

INSERTION-With muscle on other side and palatine aponeurosis

INNERVATION- V3 – medial pterygoid branch

ACTION-Tenses the soft palate – pulls the soft palate laterally, which broadens it
Opens pharyngotympanic tube

Question 5

LEVATOR VELI PALATINI

Answer 5

ORIGIN- Petrous part of temporal bone and cartilaginous part of auditory tube

INSERTION- Palatine aponeurosis and muscle of the opposite side

INNERVATION- X – pharyngeal plexus

ACTION- Elevation the soft palate
Pulls soft palate posteriorly to help close the nasopharynx