TheThepalatepalateTheThe

palatepalate

The palate forms the roof of the mouth.The palate forms the roof of the mouth.It is divided into two parts: Anterior 2/3 (the hard It is divided into two parts: Anterior 2/3 (the hard palate) and posterior 1/3 (the soft palate).palate) and posterior 1/3 (the soft palate).The Hard palate:The Hard palate:– Is formed by the palatine process of the Is formed by the palatine process of the

maxilla and the horizontal plate of the palatine maxilla and the horizontal plate of the palatine bone.bone.

– It is bounded by the alveolar arches.It is bounded by the alveolar arches.– It forms the floor of the nasal cavity.It forms the floor of the nasal cavity.– Posteriorly, it is continuous with the soft palate.Posteriorly, it is continuous with the soft palate.– It is covered by dense fibrous tissue with a It is covered by dense fibrous tissue with a

surface mucosal membranesurface mucosal membrane– It has a It has a median raphemedian raphe– Its mucosal covering is thick and corrugatedIts mucosal covering is thick and corrugated

(smooth posteriorly)(smooth posteriorly)– The mucosa contains mucous The mucosa contains mucous palatine glandspalatine glands

The palate forms the roof of the mouth.The palate forms the roof of the mouth.It is divided into two parts: Anterior 2/3 (the hard It is divided into two parts: Anterior 2/3 (the hard palate) and posterior 1/3 (the soft palate).palate) and posterior 1/3 (the soft palate).The Hard palate:The Hard palate:– Is formed by the palatine process of the Is formed by the palatine process of the

maxilla and the horizontal plate of the palatine maxilla and the horizontal plate of the palatine bone.bone.

– It is bounded by the alveolar arches.It is bounded by the alveolar arches.– It forms the floor of the nasal cavity.It forms the floor of the nasal cavity.– Posteriorly, it is continuous with the soft palate.Posteriorly, it is continuous with the soft palate.– It is covered by dense fibrous tissue with a It is covered by dense fibrous tissue with a

surface mucosal membranesurface mucosal membrane– It has a It has a median raphemedian raphe– Its mucosal covering is thick and corrugatedIts mucosal covering is thick and corrugated

(smooth posteriorly)(smooth posteriorly)– The mucosa contains mucous The mucosa contains mucous palatine glandspalatine glands

The Soft PalateThe Soft PalateThe Soft PalateThe Soft PalateIt is a mobile fold attached to the posterior border of the It is a mobile fold attached to the posterior border of the hard palate and extends backwards and downwards hard palate and extends backwards and downwards between nasopharynx and oropharynx.between nasopharynx and oropharynx.

The uvula is the midline conical projection from the The uvula is the midline conical projection from the posterior border of the soft palate.posterior border of the soft palate.

The soft palate is continuous laterally with pharyngeal The soft palate is continuous laterally with pharyngeal wall.wall.

It is covered by mucosa which encloses: an aponeurosis, It is covered by mucosa which encloses: an aponeurosis, muscles, vessels, nerves and palatine glands.muscles, vessels, nerves and palatine glands.

Two mucous folds extend laterally from the uvula to the Two mucous folds extend laterally from the uvula to the pharynx:pharynx:– Palatoglossal arch anteriorly (contains palatoglossus)Palatoglossal arch anteriorly (contains palatoglossus)– Palatopharyngeal arch posteriorly (contains Palatopharyngeal arch posteriorly (contains

palatopharyngeus)palatopharyngeus)

The 2 folds enclose the palatine tonsilThe 2 folds enclose the palatine tonsil

It is a mobile fold attached to the posterior border of the It is a mobile fold attached to the posterior border of the hard palate and extends backwards and downwards hard palate and extends backwards and downwards between nasopharynx and oropharynx.between nasopharynx and oropharynx.

The uvula is the midline conical projection from the The uvula is the midline conical projection from the posterior border of the soft palate.posterior border of the soft palate.

The soft palate is continuous laterally with pharyngeal The soft palate is continuous laterally with pharyngeal wall.wall.

It is covered by mucosa which encloses: an aponeurosis, It is covered by mucosa which encloses: an aponeurosis, muscles, vessels, nerves and palatine glands.muscles, vessels, nerves and palatine glands.

Two mucous folds extend laterally from the uvula to the Two mucous folds extend laterally from the uvula to the pharynx:pharynx:– Palatoglossal arch anteriorly (contains palatoglossus)Palatoglossal arch anteriorly (contains palatoglossus)– Palatopharyngeal arch posteriorly (contains Palatopharyngeal arch posteriorly (contains

palatopharyngeus)palatopharyngeus)

The 2 folds enclose the palatine tonsilThe 2 folds enclose the palatine tonsil

Tensor PalatiTensor PalatiOriginOrigin:: 1. Spine of sphenoid1. Spine of sphenoid

2. Scaphoid fossa2. Scaphoid fossa

3. Outer wall of auditory tube3. Outer wall of auditory tube

InsertionInsertion:: P Palatine aponeurosis (the alatine aponeurosis (the tendon hooks on the pterygoid hamulus).tendon hooks on the pterygoid hamulus).

Nerve supplyNerve supply:: Nerve to medial pterygoid Nerve to medial pterygoid from main trunk of mandibular nerve.from main trunk of mandibular nerve.

ActionAction:: It tensesIt tenses the soft palate. the soft palate.

OriginOrigin:: 1. Spine of sphenoid1. Spine of sphenoid

2. Scaphoid fossa2. Scaphoid fossa

3. Outer wall of auditory tube3. Outer wall of auditory tube

InsertionInsertion:: P Palatine aponeurosis (the alatine aponeurosis (the tendon hooks on the pterygoid hamulus).tendon hooks on the pterygoid hamulus).

Nerve supplyNerve supply:: Nerve to medial pterygoid Nerve to medial pterygoid from main trunk of mandibular nerve.from main trunk of mandibular nerve.

ActionAction:: It tensesIt tenses the soft palate. the soft palate.

Levator PalatiLevator PalatiOriginOrigin:: 1. Inferior surface of the petrous 1. Inferior surface of the petrous

part of the temporal bone.part of the temporal bone.

2. Lower surface of auditory tube2. Lower surface of auditory tube

InsertionInsertion:: P Palatine aponeurosis.alatine aponeurosis.

Nerve supplyNerve supply:: Pharyngeal plexus Pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of accessory nerve).(cranial part of accessory nerve).

ActionAction:: It elevatesIt elevates the soft palate. the soft palate.

OriginOrigin:: 1. Inferior surface of the petrous 1. Inferior surface of the petrous

part of the temporal bone.part of the temporal bone.

2. Lower surface of auditory tube2. Lower surface of auditory tube

InsertionInsertion:: P Palatine aponeurosis.alatine aponeurosis.

Nerve supplyNerve supply:: Pharyngeal plexus Pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of accessory nerve).(cranial part of accessory nerve).

ActionAction:: It elevatesIt elevates the soft palate. the soft palate.

Palatopharyngeus MusclePalatopharyngeus MusclePalatopharyngeus MusclePalatopharyngeus MuscleOriginOrigin:: Palatine aponeurosis. Palatine aponeurosis.

InsertionInsertion:: posterior border of thyroid posterior border of thyroid cartilage and wall of the pharynx.cartilage and wall of the pharynx.

Nerve supplyNerve supply:: Pharyngeal plexus. Pharyngeal plexus.

ActionAction::

1.1. It elevates the larynx during It elevates the larynx during swallowing.swallowing.

2.2. It pulls the palatopharyngeal arch It pulls the palatopharyngeal arch medially to close the pharyngeal medially to close the pharyngeal isthmus. isthmus.

OriginOrigin:: Palatine aponeurosis. Palatine aponeurosis.

InsertionInsertion:: posterior border of thyroid posterior border of thyroid cartilage and wall of the pharynx.cartilage and wall of the pharynx.

Nerve supplyNerve supply:: Pharyngeal plexus. Pharyngeal plexus.

ActionAction::

1.1. It elevates the larynx during It elevates the larynx during swallowing.swallowing.

2.2. It pulls the palatopharyngeal arch It pulls the palatopharyngeal arch medially to close the pharyngeal medially to close the pharyngeal isthmus. isthmus.

Palatoglossus Palatoglossus musclemuscle

OriginOrigin:: palatine aponeurosis. palatine aponeurosis.InsertionInsertion:: the side of the tongue. the side of the tongue.Nerve supplyNerve supply:: pharyngeal plexus pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of accessory nerve (cranial part of accessory nerve through the vagus nerve).through the vagus nerve).ActionAction:: pulls the root of the pulls the root of the tongue upward and backward to tongue upward and backward to narrow the oropharyngeal isthmus.narrow the oropharyngeal isthmus.

OriginOrigin:: palatine aponeurosis. palatine aponeurosis.InsertionInsertion:: the side of the tongue. the side of the tongue.Nerve supplyNerve supply:: pharyngeal plexus pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of accessory nerve (cranial part of accessory nerve through the vagus nerve).through the vagus nerve).ActionAction:: pulls the root of the pulls the root of the tongue upward and backward to tongue upward and backward to narrow the oropharyngeal isthmus.narrow the oropharyngeal isthmus.

Musculus UvulaeMusculus UvulaeOriginOrigin:: Posterior nasal spine Posterior nasal spine and palatine aponeurosis.and palatine aponeurosis.InsertionInsertion:: Mucous membrane Mucous membrane of the uvula.of the uvula.Nerve supplyNerve supply:: pharyngeal pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of plexus (cranial part of accessory nerve through the accessory nerve through the vagus nerve).vagus nerve).ActionAction:: elevation of the uvula.elevation of the uvula.

OriginOrigin:: Posterior nasal spine Posterior nasal spine and palatine aponeurosis.and palatine aponeurosis.InsertionInsertion:: Mucous membrane Mucous membrane of the uvula.of the uvula.Nerve supplyNerve supply:: pharyngeal pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of plexus (cranial part of accessory nerve through the accessory nerve through the vagus nerve).vagus nerve).ActionAction:: elevation of the uvula.elevation of the uvula.

Nerve supply of the Nerve supply of the palatepalate

Nerve supply of the Nerve supply of the palatepalate

SensorySensory::1.1. Greater palatine from sphenopalatine ganglionGreater palatine from sphenopalatine ganglion2.2. Lesser palatine from sphenopalatine ganglionLesser palatine from sphenopalatine ganglion3.3. Nasopalatine from sphenopalatine ganglionNasopalatine from sphenopalatine ganglion4.4. GlossopharyngealGlossopharyngeal

Motor:Motor:– All muscles of the palate are supplied by All muscles of the palate are supplied by

pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of accessory pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of accessory nerve through vagus) except nerve through vagus) except tensor palatitensor palati (supplied by mandibular nerve)(supplied by mandibular nerve)

Secretomotor:Secretomotor: (to the palatine glands) (to the palatine glands)– Postganglionic fibers from the Postganglionic fibers from the sphenopalatinesphenopalatine

ganglionganglion (carried by the lesser palatine nerve) (carried by the lesser palatine nerve)

SensorySensory::1.1. Greater palatine from sphenopalatine ganglionGreater palatine from sphenopalatine ganglion2.2. Lesser palatine from sphenopalatine ganglionLesser palatine from sphenopalatine ganglion3.3. Nasopalatine from sphenopalatine ganglionNasopalatine from sphenopalatine ganglion4.4. GlossopharyngealGlossopharyngeal

Motor:Motor:– All muscles of the palate are supplied by All muscles of the palate are supplied by

pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of accessory pharyngeal plexus (cranial part of accessory nerve through vagus) except nerve through vagus) except tensor palatitensor palati (supplied by mandibular nerve)(supplied by mandibular nerve)

Secretomotor:Secretomotor: (to the palatine glands) (to the palatine glands)– Postganglionic fibers from the Postganglionic fibers from the sphenopalatinesphenopalatine

ganglionganglion (carried by the lesser palatine nerve) (carried by the lesser palatine nerve)

Blood supply of the Blood supply of the palatepalate

Blood supply of the Blood supply of the palatepalate

Arterial supply of the palateArterial supply of the palate::

1.1. Greater palatine artery (from maxillary artery)Greater palatine artery (from maxillary artery)

2.2. Lesser palatine arteries (from maxillary artery)Lesser palatine arteries (from maxillary artery)

3.3. Ascending palatine artery (from facial artery)Ascending palatine artery (from facial artery)

4.4. Palatine branch of ascending pharyngeal Palatine branch of ascending pharyngeal artery.artery.

Arterial supply of the palateArterial supply of the palate::

1.1. Greater palatine artery (from maxillary artery)Greater palatine artery (from maxillary artery)

2.2. Lesser palatine arteries (from maxillary artery)Lesser palatine arteries (from maxillary artery)

3.3. Ascending palatine artery (from facial artery)Ascending palatine artery (from facial artery)

4.4. Palatine branch of ascending pharyngeal Palatine branch of ascending pharyngeal artery.artery.

Lymph drainage of the Lymph drainage of the palatepalate

Lymph drainage of the Lymph drainage of the palatepalate

To the deep cervical lymph nodes.To the deep cervical lymph nodes.

Function of the soft Function of the soft palatepalate

Function of the soft Function of the soft palatepalate

The soft palate is raised to close the The soft palate is raised to close the

pharyngeal isthmuspharyngeal isthmus during the following: during the following:

– Swallowing, to prevent regurgitation of food Swallowing, to prevent regurgitation of food

and fluid into nasopharynxand fluid into nasopharynx

– Speech, to produce explosive soundsSpeech, to produce explosive sounds

– Blowing, to prevent escape of air into the Blowing, to prevent escape of air into the

nasopharynxnasopharynx

The soft palate is raised to close the The soft palate is raised to close the

pharyngeal isthmuspharyngeal isthmus during the following: during the following:

– Swallowing, to prevent regurgitation of food Swallowing, to prevent regurgitation of food

and fluid into nasopharynxand fluid into nasopharynx

– Speech, to produce explosive soundsSpeech, to produce explosive sounds

– Blowing, to prevent escape of air into the Blowing, to prevent escape of air into the

nasopharynxnasopharynx

MechanismMechanismofof

swallowingswallowing

MechanismMechanismofof

swallowingswallowing

The First StageThe First StageThe First StageThe First StageIt is a voluntary process.It is a voluntary process.

The tongue is raised up against the The tongue is raised up against the hard palate, from tip and extending hard palate, from tip and extending backwards, driving the food bolus backwards, driving the food bolus backwardsbackwards

The soft palate is pulled downThe soft palate is pulled down

The food bolus lies in a groove on the The food bolus lies in a groove on the dorsum of the tonguedorsum of the tongue

More pressure of the dorsal surface More pressure of the dorsal surface against the hard palate pushes the against the hard palate pushes the bolus backwards into oropharynxbolus backwards into oropharynx

It is a voluntary process.It is a voluntary process.

The tongue is raised up against the The tongue is raised up against the hard palate, from tip and extending hard palate, from tip and extending backwards, driving the food bolus backwards, driving the food bolus backwardsbackwards

The soft palate is pulled downThe soft palate is pulled down

The food bolus lies in a groove on the The food bolus lies in a groove on the dorsum of the tonguedorsum of the tongue

More pressure of the dorsal surface More pressure of the dorsal surface against the hard palate pushes the against the hard palate pushes the bolus backwards into oropharynxbolus backwards into oropharynx

The Second StageThe Second StageThe Second StageThe Second StageIt is involuntaryIt is involuntary process. process.Soft palate is raised up and makes contact with the Soft palate is raised up and makes contact with the posterior pharyngeal wall closing off the posterior pharyngeal wall closing off the pharyngeal pharyngeal isthmusisthmusHyoid bone and larynx are raised up and forwards.Hyoid bone and larynx are raised up and forwards.The epiglottis is tipped down closing the The epiglottis is tipped down closing the laryngeal laryngeal inletinlet (but not completely) (but not completely)Approximation of the aryepiglottic folds prevents Approximation of the aryepiglottic folds prevents entry of food into larynxentry of food into larynxA stripping wave moves down the pharyngeal wall A stripping wave moves down the pharyngeal wall pushing the food bolus downpushing the food bolus downThe soft palate is pulled down, approximated to the The soft palate is pulled down, approximated to the tongue and pressed against it by the stripping wave, tongue and pressed against it by the stripping wave, thus the thus the oropharyngeal isthmusoropharyngeal isthmus is closed off is closed off

It is involuntaryIt is involuntary process. process.Soft palate is raised up and makes contact with the Soft palate is raised up and makes contact with the posterior pharyngeal wall closing off the posterior pharyngeal wall closing off the pharyngeal pharyngeal isthmusisthmusHyoid bone and larynx are raised up and forwards.Hyoid bone and larynx are raised up and forwards.The epiglottis is tipped down closing the The epiglottis is tipped down closing the laryngeal laryngeal inletinlet (but not completely) (but not completely)Approximation of the aryepiglottic folds prevents Approximation of the aryepiglottic folds prevents entry of food into larynxentry of food into larynxA stripping wave moves down the pharyngeal wall A stripping wave moves down the pharyngeal wall pushing the food bolus downpushing the food bolus downThe soft palate is pulled down, approximated to the The soft palate is pulled down, approximated to the tongue and pressed against it by the stripping wave, tongue and pressed against it by the stripping wave, thus the thus the oropharyngeal isthmusoropharyngeal isthmus is closed off is closed off

The Third StageThe Third StageThe Third StageThe Third StageIt is involuntary process.It is involuntary process.

The The thyropharyngeusthyropharyngeus part of inferior part of inferior

constrictor constrictor contractscontracts, while the , while the

cricopharyngeuscricopharyngeus relaxesrelaxes pushing the pushing the

bolus down the esophagusbolus down the esophagus

Failure of relaxation of cricopharyngeus Failure of relaxation of cricopharyngeus

leads to leads to herniation herniation of the mucosa of the mucosa

between thyro- and cricopharyngeus between thyro- and cricopharyngeus

forming a forming a small pharyngeal pouch.small pharyngeal pouch.

It is involuntary process.It is involuntary process.

The The thyropharyngeusthyropharyngeus part of inferior part of inferior

constrictor constrictor contractscontracts, while the , while the

cricopharyngeuscricopharyngeus relaxesrelaxes pushing the pushing the

bolus down the esophagusbolus down the esophagus

Failure of relaxation of cricopharyngeus Failure of relaxation of cricopharyngeus

leads to leads to herniation herniation of the mucosa of the mucosa

between thyro- and cricopharyngeus between thyro- and cricopharyngeus

forming a forming a small pharyngeal pouch.small pharyngeal pouch.