THE PALATAL REGIOX. 



421 



upward and dilated in different directions, to receive the morsel propelled into it 

 from the mouth. The Stylo-pharyngei, which are much farther removed from 

 one another at their origin than at their insertion, draw the sides of the pharynx 

 upward and outward, and so increase its transverse diameter, its breadth in the 

 antero-posterior direction being increased by the larynx and tongue being carried 

 forward in their ascent. As soon as the morsel is received in the pharynx, the 

 Elevator muscles relax, the bag descends, and the Constrictors contract upon 

 the morsel, and convey it gradually downward into the oesophagus. Besides 

 its action in deglutition, the pharynx also exerts an important influence in the 

 modulation of the voice, especially in the production .of the higher tones. 



6. Palatal Region. 



Levator palati. Palato-glossus. 



Tensor palati. Palato-pharyngeus. 



Azygos uvulae. Salpingo-pharyngeus. 



Dissection (Fiir. 283). Lay open the pharynx from behind by a vertical incision extending 

 from its upper to its lower part, and partially divide the occipital attachment by a transverse 

 incision on each side of the vertical one ; the posterior surface of the soft palate is then exposed. 

 Having fixed the uvula so as to make it tense, the mucous membrane and glands should be care- 

 fully removed from the posterior surface of the soft palate, and the muscles of this part are at 

 once exposed. 



The Levator palati is a long, thick, rounded muscle, placed on the outer side 



FIG. 283. Muscles of the soft palate, the pharynx being laid open from behind. 



of the posterior nares. It arises from the under surface of the apex of the petrous 

 portion of the temporal bone, and from the adjoining cartilaginous portion of the 

 Eustachian tube ; after passing into the pharynx, above the upper concave margin 



