Week 10 - Soft Palate

Question 1

What is the palatal aponeurosis?

Answer 1

-an expansion of the tendon of the tensor veli palatini muscle and it comprises the anterior one-third of the soft palate

Question 2

What muscles does the palatal aponeurosis enclose?

Answer 2

The muscularis uvulae

Question 3

What are the muscles of the soft palate?

Answer 3

-levator veli palatini muscle
-tensor veli palatini muscle
-Uvular muscles
-paltoglossus muscles
-paltaopharyngeus muscle

Question 4

What is the significance of the pterygoid hamulus?

Answer 4

The tendon of the tensor veli palatini wraps around it

Question 5

What is the function of the tensor veli palatini muscle?

Answer 5

It tenses the palatal aponeurosis (soft palate)

Question 6

What is the nerve innervation of the tensor veli palatini?

Answer 6

Mandibular division of trigeminal (nerve to medial pterygoid)

Question 7

What is the function of the levator veli palatini muscle?

Answer 7

elevates the soft palate during swallowing

Question 8

What is the nerve supply to the levator veli palatini muscle?

Answer 8

Vagus nerve

Question 9

What is the action of the palatopharyngeus muscle ?

Answer 9

Elevates pharynx superiorly, anteriorly and medially (shortening it to swallow)

Question 10

What is the nerve supply to palatopharyngeus?

Answer 10

Vagus nerve

Question 11

What is the function of the palatoglossus muscle?

Answer 11

Pulls soft palate towards tongue?
Vagus nerve