CorpusHuman Anatomy
DigestiveOrgan part

Soft palate

Palatum molle (velum palatinum)

Also known as: velum, uvula

The soft palate is a mobile fibromuscular flap hanging from the back of the hard palate and ending in the uvula. During swallowing and speech it rises to seal the nasopharynx off from the oropharynx.

Show on body map

Overview

The framework of the soft palate is the palatine aponeurosis, the expanded tendon of tensor veli palatini. Five paired muscles insert into it. Tensor veli palatini tenses the palate and opens the auditory tube. Levator veli palatini elevates the palate. Palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus form the palatoglossal (anterior) and palatopharyngeal (posterior) arches, and the palatine tonsil sits between them. Musculus uvulae shortens the uvula.

During swallowing, levator veli palatini lifts the soft palate against the posterior pharyngeal wall. The wall bulges forward to meet it (Passavant ridge) and together they achieve velopharyngeal closure, which stops food and fluid entering the nose. The same closure separates oral from nasal speech sounds.

Location

Posterior third of the roof of the mouth, hanging between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx.

Parts & subdivisions

  1. Uvula
    Conical midline projection from the free posterior border.
  2. Palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches
    Mucosal folds over the muscles of the same names. The tonsillar fossa lies between them.
  3. Tensor veli palatini
    Hooks around the pterygoid hamulus. Supplied by V3. Opens the auditory tube during swallowing and yawning.
  4. Levator veli palatini
    Main elevator of the soft palate. Vagus via the pharyngeal plexus.

Anatomy

Innervation

Motor: pharyngeal plexus (vagus, X) to all palatal muscles except tensor veli palatini (mandibular nerve, V3). Sensory: lesser palatine nerves (V2) and the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX).

Arterial supply

Lesser palatine artery (maxillary), ascending palatine artery (facial) and palatine branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery.

Function

  • Seals the nasopharynx during swallowing (velopharyngeal closure).
  • Shapes speech resonance by separating oral from nasal sounds.
  • Opens the auditory tube (via tensor veli palatini) to equalise middle-ear pressure.
  • Its sensory surface triggers the gag reflex.

Clinical significance

Vagus nerve lesion

On saying "ah" the palate on the paralysed side fails to rise, so the uvula deviates away from the side of the lesion. Nasal speech and nasal regurgitation of fluids follow. The gag reflex is tested with IX as the afferent limb and X as the efferent limb.

Obstructive sleep apnoea

During sleep the soft palate, uvula and tongue lose tone and collapse into the oropharynx, causing snoring, apnoeas and daytime sleepiness.

Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Digestive System sources. For education only; not medical advice.