Soft palate

Question 1

What is the soft palate?

Answer 1

A mobile muscular flap hanging from posterior hard palate into pharynx

Question 2

What does the soft palate separate?

Answer 2

Nasopharynx from oropharynx

Question 3

What marks the anterior (oral) surface of the soft palate?

Answer 3

Median raphe

Question 4

How is the posterior surface of the soft palate described?

Answer 4

Convex and continuous with nasal cavity floor

Question 5

Where is the superior border of soft palate attached?

Answer 5

Posterior border of hard palate

Question 6

What forms the anterior boundary of the pharyngeal isthmus?

Answer 6

Inferior free border of soft palate

Question 7

What is the uvula?

Answer 7

A conical projection hanging from middle of soft palate

Question 8

What is the palatoglossal fold?

Answer 8

Anterior mucous fold from base of uvula to tongue

Question 9

Which muscle is in the palatoglossal fold?

Answer 9

Palatoglossus muscle

Question 10

What does the palatoglossal fold form?

Answer 10

Lateral boundary of oropharyngeal isthmus

Question 11

What is the palatopharyngeal fold?

Answer 11

Posterior mucous fold from base of uvula to pharynx

Question 12

Which muscle is in the palatopharyngeal fold?

Answer 12

Palatopharyngeus muscle

Question 13

What does the palatopharyngeal fold form?

Answer 13

Posterior boundary of tonsillar fossa

Question 14

What type of epithelium lines the nasal surface of soft palate?

Answer 14

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

Question 15

What epithelium is present posteriorly on nasal surface?

Answer 15

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Question 16

What epithelium covers the oral surface of soft palate?

Answer 16

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Question 17

What glands are found in submucosa of soft palate?

Answer 17

Mucous glands

Question 18

Where are mucous glands most numerous?

Answer 18

Around uvula and oral surface

Question 19

What additional structures are found on oral mucosa of soft palate?

Answer 19

Taste buds and lymphoid follicles

Question 20

How many pairs of muscles are in the soft palate?

Answer 20

Five pairs

Question 21

Which muscles are extrinsic in the soft palate?

Answer 21

Tensor palati, levator palati, palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus

Question 22

Which muscle is intrinsic in the soft palate?

Answer 22

Musculus uvulae

Question 23

What is the origin of tensor palati?

Answer 23

Lateral auditory tube and greater wing of sphenoid

Question 24

What does the tensor palati form after hooking around pterygoid hamulus?

Answer 24

Palatine aponeurosis

Question 25

What is the action of tensor palati?

Answer 25

Tightens soft palate and opens auditory tube

Question 26

Where does levator palati arise from?

Answer 26

Medial auditory tube and petrous temporal bone

Question 27

Where is levator palati inserted?

Answer 27

Upper surface of palatine aponeurosis

Question 28

What is the action of levator palati?

Answer 28

Elevates soft palate and opens auditory tube

Question 29

Where does musculus uvulae arise from?

Answer 29

Posterior nasal spine and palatine aponeurosis

Question 30

Where is musculus uvulae inserted?

Answer 30

Mucous membrane of uvula

Question 31

What is the action of musculus uvulae?

Answer 31

Pulls uvula forward to its side

Question 32

Where does palatoglossus insert?

Answer 32

Side of tongue at oral-pharyngeal junction

Question 33

What is the action of palatoglossus?

Answer 33

Pulls tongue root up and closes oropharyngeal isthmus

Question 34

Where is palatopharyngeus inserted?

Answer 34

Pharyngeal wall raphe and posterior lamina of thyroid cartilage

Question 35

What is the action of palatopharyngeus?

Answer 35

Raises pharynx and larynx in swallowing

Question 36

What happens during swallowing due to soft palate?

Answer 36

Separates oropharynx from nasopharynx

Question 37

How does soft palate aid breathing during chewing?

Answer 37

Isolates oral cavity from oropharynx

Question 38

How does soft palate affect voice?

Answer 38

Modifies voice quality by closing pharyngeal isthmus

Question 39

What protects nasal mucosa during sneezing?

Answer 39

Soft palate directs blast through oral and nasal cavities

Question 40

What prevents sputum from entering nose during cough?

Answer 40

Soft palate directs it to oral cavity