662 DISSECTION OF THE PHARYNX. 



tensor, are very plain. These have already been partly dissected ; 

 but to follow them to their termination, let the upper attachment of 

 the pharynx on the right side, and the part of the superior constrictor 

 which arises from the internal pterygoid plate be cut through. The 

 levator will be fully laid bare by the removal of the mucous mem- 

 brane and a few muscular fibres covering its lower end. The 

 tendon of the tensor palati should be followed round the hamular 

 process of the internal pterygoid plate ; and its situation in the 

 palate beneath the levator should be made evident. The position of 

 the Eustachian tube with respect to those muscles should also be 

 ascertained. 



on left, On the left side, the mucous membrane is to be raised with great 



phw-yngeus, care fr m tne posterior surface of the soft palate, to obtain a view 

 of the superficial muscular fibres. Immediately beneath the mucous 

 covering are some fine transverse fibres of the palato-pharyngeus 

 muscle ; and beneath them, close to the middle line, are the longi- 

 azygos tudinal fibres of the azygos uvula?. A slender muscular bundle 

 contained in the ridge of mucous membrane descending from the 

 extremity of the Eustachian tube is to be exposed and traced to its 

 junction with the palato-pharyngeus. On the right side, a deeper 

 set of fibres of the palato-pharyngeus is to be followed beneath the 

 levator and azygos muscles. 



and palato- The mucous membrane should next be removed from the muscular 

 giossus. fibres contained in the arches of the palate, and the muscle fibres 

 should be followed upwards and downwards. In order to see those 

 in the anterior fold, it will be necessary to take the membrane away 

 from the anterior surface of the palate. If the part is not tolerably 

 fresh, some of the paler fibres may not be visible. 



Aponeurosis Aponeurosis of the soft palate. Giving strength to the velum is a 

 of palate. ^ m k ut ^ nn a p 0neuros i s> w hich is attached to the hard palate. 



This membrane becomes thinner as it descends in the velum ; and it 



is Joined by the tendon of the tensor palati muscle. 

 Ninemus- The MUSCLES OF THE SOFT PALATE are, on each side, an elevator 



and tensor, which descend from the skull, with the palato-glossus 



and palato-pharyngeus, which act as depressors, and a small median 



azygos muscle. 



Elevator The LEVATOR PALATI (fig. 233, A ; 234, 3 ) is a thick roundish 



Sj C s e muscle which is partly situate outside the pharynx. It arises from 

 pharynx ^ e under surface of the petrous portion of the temporal bone close 



in front of the carotid foramen, and from the lower border of the 

 and is lost adjacent cartilaginous part of the Eustachian tube. Entering the 



pharynx above the superior constrictor, the fibres of the muscle 



spread out in the soft palate, where they join along the middle line 



with those of the muscle of the opposite side. 

 relations. The belly of the muscle rests against the lower border of the 



Eustachian tube ; and the expanded part is embraced by two layers 



of fibres of the palato-pharyngeus (4). 



Action. It raises the soft palate from the tongue, so as to enlarge 



the fauces ; and by bringing the hinder part of the velum into 



