50 SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE REGION OF 



of the muscles of the soft palate is of great importance, 

 with a view to the successful performance of operations 

 for the relief of fissures or clefts in it. 



The fibres of the levator palati pass downward and 

 inward, spreading out on the velum as a layer, which is 

 embraced by the two planes of fibres of the palato- 

 pharyngeus and unites with its fellow of the opposite 

 side. The tensor palati ends in a tendon, which is re- 

 flected horizontally round the hamular process of the 

 sphenoid, and after spreading out is inserted into the 

 aponeurosis of the velum, below the levator palati, and 



This figure represents the posterior nares and upper surface of the soft palate. 

 a. Levator palati ; the dark line shows where it should be cut across, b. The 

 inner bundle of fibres of the palato-pharyngeus ; the dark line indicates its place 

 of division, c. The palato-glossus, with the mark for incision, when necessary. 

 d. The tensor palati, in relation with the cartilaginous extremity of the Eusta- 

 chian tube, e. The posterior extremity of the inferior turbinated bone. /. The 

 septum, g, g. The uvula on each side stretched apart. (FEHGUSSON.) 



into the palate bone. The position of the hamular pro- 

 cess, an important guide in the performance of operations, 

 can be felt distinctly in the substance of the soft palate, 

 internal to and slightly posterior to the last molar tooth. 



