Soft Palate
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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.
Structure and Function
- Muscle
- Contacts epiglottis caudally
- Very folded mucosa
- Striated palatine muscle
Musculature and Innervation
- Sensation and taste from glossopharyngeal (CN IX)
- Palatine muscle
- Tensor velli palatini
- Origin: near tympanic bulla on temporal bone
- Insertion: lateral aponeurosis
- Pharyngeal arch 1
- Mandibular of trigeminal (CN V3)
- Tenses soft palate
- 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
Histology
- 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