Soft Palate

Introduction

The soft palate (velum palatine) is located caudally to the hard palate. It is comprised of muscle and is involved in tasting food and in deglutition.

Soft Palate - Copyright Nottingham 2008

Structure and Function

• Muscle

• Contacts epiglottis caudally

• Very folded mucosa

• Striated palatine muscle

Soft Palate Cross-section - Copyright RVC

Musculature and Innervation

• Sensation and taste from glossopharyngeal (CN IX)

• Palatine muscle
  • Origin: hard palate transeverse ridges
  • Insertion: soft palate
  • Shortens palate
  • Major innervation from vagus nerve (CN X)
  • Minor from glossopgaryngeal nerve (CN IX)

• Tensor velli palatini
  • Origin: near tympanic bulla on temporal bone
  • Insertion: lateral aponeurosis
  • Pharyngeal arch 1
  • Mandibular of trigeminal (CN V3)
  • Tenses soft palate

Soft palate - Copyright C.Clarkson and T.F.Fletcher University of Minnesota

• Levator velli palatini
  • Origin: near tympanic bulla on temporal bone
  • Insertion: lateral aponeurosis
  • Raises soft palate
  • Major innervation from vagus nerve (CN X)
  • Minor from glossopgaryngeal nerve (CN IX)

• Palatopharyngeus
  • closes palatopharyngeal arch and therefore lift soft palate
  • Major innervation from vagus nerve (CN X)
  • Minor from glossopgaryngeal nerve (CN IX)

Histology

Soft Palate (Mouse) - Copyright RVC 2008

• Respiratory mucosa - ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium on aboral surface

• Stratified squamous epithelium on oral surface

• Palatine salivary glands

Species Differences

Porcine

• Soft palate does not contact the epiglottis as the porcine soft palate is raised higher in the oral cavity than in other species

Equine

• Tight laryngeal cuff around the laryngeal entrance therefore the soft palate cannot be raised for long periods of time and thus horses are nasal breathers

• Laryngeal cuffing prevents vomiting

Canine

• As brachiocephalic breeds have a shortened skull length, the soft palate often obstruct air flow into the larynx causing breathing difficulties

Avian

• Birds lack a soft palate

Test yourself with the Soft Palate & Facial Muscle flashcards

Soft Palate Flashcards

Facial Muscle Flashcards