Organ
Soft palate
A mobile valve between oral and nasal passages
High-yield
Vagus supplies most palatal muscles through the pharyngeal plexus. Tensor veli palatini is the main exception, receiving a V3 branch associated with the nerve to medial pterygoid.
Overview
The soft palate extends behind the hard palate and ends centrally in the uvula. Muscle and connective tissue allow it to change shape and position. During swallowing and many speech sounds it works with the pharyngeal walls to close the nasal route; closure is relaxed for nasal speech sounds.
Reference facts
- Location
- Attached anteriorly to the hard palate and continuous laterally with palatal arches and pharyngeal tissues.
- Parts
- Palatine aponeurosis and paired levator veli palatini, tensor veli palatini, palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus and uvular muscles, covered by mucosa.
- Blood supply
- Lesser palatine, ascending palatine and ascending pharyngeal branches form a communicating supply.
- Innervation
- Motor: chiefly X, except tensor veli palatini via V3. General sensation mainly V2 palatine branches; palatal taste fibers travel with VII.
- Relations
- Palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches border the palatine tonsillar fossa.
- Function
- Regulates oral–nasal communication during breathing, speech and swallowing, while its muscles also help shape the oral–pharyngeal opening.
Mnemonic
Palatal tensor belongs with trigeminal motor supply; the other main palatal muscles belong with vagus.
Clinical correlation
Weak palatal closure can cause excessive nasal resonance or nasal regurgitation. In unilateral vagal weakness, elevation may be reduced on the affected side and the uvula may move toward the stronger side; appearance is variable and must be interpreted with the rest of the examination.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the soft palate located?
The soft palate lies attached anteriorly to the hard palate and continuous laterally with palatal arches and pharyngeal tissues.
What does the soft palate do?
Regulates oral–nasal communication during breathing, speech and swallowing, while its muscles also help shape the oral–pharyngeal opening.
What are the parts of the soft palate?
Palatine aponeurosis and paired levator veli palatini, tensor veli palatini, palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus and uvular muscles, covered by mucosa.
What is the blood supply of the soft palate?
The soft palate is supplied by the lesser palatine, ascending palatine and ascending pharyngeal branches form a communicating supply.