DEGLUTITION. 185 



the sides of the thyroid and cricoid cartilages of the larynx. 

 The inferior fibres curve backward, and the superior fibres 

 backward and upward, to meet in the median raphe. 



The muscles which form the fleshy portions of the soft 

 palate are likewise important in deglutition. 



The levator palati, a long muscle of considerable thick- 

 ness, arises from the apex of the petrous portion of the 

 temporal bone and the adjacent cartilaginous portion of the 

 Eustachian tube ; and spreading out in the posterior portion 

 of the soft palate, as its name implies, it raises the velum. 



The tensor palati, sometimes called the circumflexus, is a 

 broad thin muscle consisting of a vertical portion which is 

 fleshy, and a horizontal portion which is tendinous. Tho 

 fleshy fibres arise from the scaphoid fossa of the sphenoid 

 bone, pass downward, become tendinous, and wind around 

 the hamular process ; after which the muscle spreads out 

 into a thin apeneurosis which passes to the median line on 

 the anterior portion of the soft palate. Its action is to make 

 the palate tense. 



The palato-glossus forms the anterior pillar of the soft 

 palate. It arises from the side of the palate near the uvula 

 and passes to be inserted into the side and dorsum of the 

 tongue. The action of this muscle is to constrict the isthmus 

 of the fauces by drawing down the soft palate and elevating 

 the base of the tongue. 



The palato-pharyngeus forms the posterior pillar of the 

 soft palate. It arises from the soft palate by two fasciculi, 

 and joins with the fibres of the stylo-pharyngeus, to be in- 

 serted into the posterior border of the thyroid cartilage. Its 

 action is to approximate the posterior pillars of the palate 

 and depress the velum. 



The azygos uvulse is the small muscle, consisting of two 

 fasciculi, one on either side, which forms the fleshy portion 

 of the uvula. It has no very marked or important action in 

 deglutition. 



The mucous membrane of the pharynx, aside from the 



