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Página creada con '==Introduction== The soft palate (velum palatine) is located caudally to the hard palate and is composed of muscle. It is involved in tasting food and in [[degl...'
==Introduction==

The soft palate (velum palatine) is located caudally to the [[Hard Palate|hard palate]] and is composed of muscle. It is involved in tasting food and in [[deglutition]].

[[Image:Hard and Soft Palate Anatomy.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Soft Palate - Copyright University of Nottingham 2008]]
==Structure and Function==

The soft palate is made of striated palatine muscle and has very folded mucosa. It contacts the [[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology#Epiglottis|epiglottis]] caudally.

[[Image:Soft Palate XS.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Soft Palate Cross-section - Copyright RVC]]
==Musculature and Innervation==

The soft palate transmits sensation and taste via the glossopharyngeal ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN IX]]) nerve.

===Palatine muscle===
The origin of the palatine muscle is the hard palate transeverse ridges and the insertion site is the soft palate. The muscle shortens the palate and recieves major innervation from the vagus nerve ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN X]]) and minor innervation from the glossopgaryngeal nerve ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN IX]]).

===Tensor velli palatini muscle===
The origin of the tensor velli palatini muscle is near the tympanic bulla on the [[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology#Temporal Bone (os temporale)|temporal bone]]. The insertion site is the lateral aponeurosis. It tenses the soft palate.
[[Image:Pharynx Anatomy.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Soft palate - Copyright C.Clarkson and T.F.Fletcher University of Minnesota]]

===Levator velli palatini muscle===
The origin of the levator velli palatini muscle is near the tympanic bulla on the temporal bone. The insertion site is the lateral aponeurosis. It raises the soft palate and recieves major innervation from the vagus nerve ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN X]]) and minor from the glossopgaryngeal nerve ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN IX]]).

===Palatopharyngeus muscle===
The palatopharyngeus muscle closes the palatopharyngeal arch, and therefore lifts the soft palate. It recieves major innervation from the vagus nerve ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN X]]) and minor innervation from the glossopgaryngeal nerve ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN IX]]).

==Histology==
[[Image:Soft Palate Mouse.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Soft Palate (Mouse) - Copyright RVC 2008]]
The soft palate contains respiratory mucosa - '''ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium''' on the aboral surface. There is '''stratified squamous epithelium''' on the oral surface. The soft palate also contains [[Palatine Gland - Anatomy & Physiology|palatine]] salivary glands.

==Species Differences==

===Porcine===
The soft palate does not contact the [[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology#Epiglottis|epiglottis]] as the porcine soft palate is raised higher in the [[Oral Cavity Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity ]] than in other species.

===Equine===
The tight laryngeal cuff around the laryngeal entrance, and therefore the soft palate cannot be raised for long periods of time and thus horses are nasal breathers. Laryngeal cuffing prevents [[Vomiting|vomiting]].

===Canine===
As brachiocephalic breeds have a shortened skull length, the soft palate can often obstruct air flow into the [[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology|larynx]] causing breathing difficulties.

===Avian===
Birds lack a soft palate.

==Links==
Click here for the [[Oral Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology - Flashcards#Soft Palate Flashcards|soft palate flashcards]].

Click here for the [[Facial_Muscles_-_Musculoskeletal_-_Flashcards|facial muscle flashcards]].



[[Category:Oral Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology]]