308 SOFT PALATE. 



between the anterior half arches is the isthmus of the 

 fauces. 



The tonsils or amygdalae, (o/wySatoa, an almond,) situated 

 as just stated in the fauces, consist of mucous follicles col- 

 lected together in an almond-like shape, and vary much in 

 size. In some they are scarcely seen in others they fill up 

 the whole fauces. Their inner surface is free, and full of 

 foramina, which lead into the mucous follicles, that have 

 been mistaken for ulcerations. Their external surface is cov- 

 ered by an aponeurosis, and the superior constrictor of the 

 pharynx. They are very subject to inflammation, constitu- 

 ting quinsy or tonsilitis, and to chronic enlargements requir- 

 ing extirpation. Their posterior surface corresponds to the 

 angle of the jaw, and they are in relation in front with the 

 facial artery, behind with the internal carotid, and on the 

 outer side with the external carotid, separated by the supe- 

 rior constrictor of the pharynx, and some cellular tissue. 



The structure of the soft palate consists, as stated, of an 

 aponeurosis, muscles, blood-vessels and nerves, surrounded 

 by mucous membrane. 



The aponeurosis is a strong, dense, and fibrous tissue, 

 regarded as continuous with the fibrous structure of the 

 septum narium, the nasal fossae and Eustachian tube, and 

 constituting the frame work of the palate. 



The Muscles (Fig. 88) of the soft palate are five pairs, 

 i. e. the levator and tensor palati, constrictor istlimi faucium, 

 palato-pJiaryngeus , and azygos uvulae. 



Dissection. Open the pharynx from behind, by separat- 

 ing it from the cervical vertebras, which remove, and then 

 take off the mucous membrane of the palate, when its mus- 

 cles will be exposed. 



1. Levator palati is a moderately thick and round mus- 

 cle, and arises in front of the foramen caroticum, from the 

 extremity of the petrous bone, and back of the Eustachian 

 tube, then descends by the side of the posterior nares, and is 

 inserted broad into the soft palate as far as its median line. 

 Function, to raise the palate. 



2. Tensor palati, or circumflexus, is a slender muscle upon 



