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==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
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The hard palate (palatum durum) forms the rostral roof of the oral cavity. It merges caudally with the soft palate.
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The hard palate (palatum durum) forms the rostral roof of the oral cavity. It merges caudally with the soft palate where a connective tissue aponeurosis replaces the bone.
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=Functional Anatomy==
 
=Functional Anatomy==
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*Bony shelf of palatine processes of the incisive, maxillary and palatine bones. Failure of the palatine bones to fuse results in cleft palate.
 
*Bony shelf of palatine processes of the incisive, maxillary and palatine bones. Failure of the palatine bones to fuse results in cleft palate.
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*6-8 fixed transverse ridges
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*6-8 fixed transverse ridges to direct food caudally
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*Flat
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*Incisive papilla (small median swelling) behind incisive teeth
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*Smaller papillae ducts branching to nasal cavity and veromeronasal organ
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==Histology==
 
==Histology==
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*Thick mucosa
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*keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
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==Species Differences==
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*More heavily keratinised in herbivores
     
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