344 MUSCLES AND FASCIA. 



the Levator Palati, and Azygos Uvulse, by the facial, through the connection 

 of its trunk with the Vidian, by the petrosal nerves ; the other muscles, by the 

 palatine branches of Meckel's ganglion. 



Actions. During the first act of deglutition, the morsel of food is driven back 

 into the fauces by the pressure of the tongue against the hard palate ; the base 

 of the tongue being, at the same time, retracted, and the larynx raised with 

 the pharynx, and carried forwards under it. During the second stage, the 

 epiglottis is pressed over the superior aperture of the larynx, and the morsel 

 glides past it; then the Palato-glossi muscles, the constrictors of the fauces, 

 contract behind the food ; the soft palate is slightly raised by the Levator 

 Palati, and made tense by the Tensor Palati; and the Palato-pharyngei con- 

 tract, and come nearly together, the uvula filling up the slight interval between 

 them. By these means, the food is prevented passing into the upper part of 

 the pharynx or the posterior nares ; at the same time, the latter muscles form 

 an inclined plane, directed obliquely downwards and backwards, along which 

 the morsel descends into the lower part of the pharynx. 



Surgical Anatomy. The muscles of the soft palate should be carefully dissected, the relations 

 they bear to the surrounding parts especially examined, and their action attentively studied upon 

 the dead subject, as the surgeon is required to divide one or more of these muscles in the opera- 

 tion of staphyloraphy. Sir W. Fergusson has shown that in the congenital deficiency called 

 cleft palate the edges of the fissure are forcibly separated by the action of the Levatores Palati 

 and Palato-pharyngei muscles, producing very considerable impediment to the healing process 

 after the performance of the operation for uniting their margins by adhesion ; he has consequently 

 recommended the division of these muscles as one of the most important steps in the operation. 

 This he effects by an incision made with a curved knife introduced behind the flap. The incision 

 is to be half-way between the hamular process and Eustachian tube, and perpendicular to a line 

 drawn between them. This incision perfectly accomplishes the division of the Levator Palati. 

 The Palato-pharyngeus may be divided by cutting across the posterior pillar of the soft palate, 

 just below the tonsil, with a pair of blunt-pointed curved scissors ; and the anterior pillar may 

 be divided also. To divide the Levator Palati, the plan recommended by Mr. Pollock is to be 

 greatly preferred. The flap being put upon the stretch, a double-edged knife is passed through 

 the soft palate, just on the inner side of the hamular process, and above the line of the Levator 

 Palati. The handle being now alternately raised and depressed, a sweeping cut is made along 

 the posterior surface of the soft palate, and the knife withdrawn, leaving only a small opening in 

 the mucous membrane on the anterior surface. If this operation is performed on the dead body, 

 and the parts afterwards dissected, the Levator Palati will be found completely divided. 



7. ANTERIOR VERTEBRAL EEGION. 



Eectus Capitis Anticus Major. Eectus Lateralis. 



Rectus Capitis Anticus Minor. Longus Colli. 



The Rectus Capitis Anticus Major (Fig. 225), broad and thick above, narrow 

 below, appears like a continuation upwards of the Scalenus Anticus. It arises 

 by four tendinous slips from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes 

 of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cervical vertebra?, and ascends, converging 

 towards its fellow of the opposite side, to be inserted into the basilar process 

 of the occipital bone. 



Relations. By its anterior surface, with the pharynx, the sympathetic nerve, 

 and the sheath inclosing the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and pneumo- 

 gastric nerve. By its posterior surface, with the Longus Colli, the Eectus An- 

 ticus Minor, and the upper cervical vertebrae. 



The Rectus Capitis Anticus Minor is a short flat muscle, situated immediately 

 beneath the upper part of the preceding. It arises from the anterior surface 

 of the lateral mass of the atlas, and from the root of its transverse process, and 

 passing obliquely upwards and inwards, is inserted into the basilar process 

 immediately behind the preceding muscle. 



Relations. By its anterior surface, with the Eectus Anticus Major. By its 

 posterior surface, with the front of the occipito-atlantal articulation. Externally, 

 with the superior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic. 



The Rectus Lateralis is a short, flat muscle, which arises from the upper sur- 



