THE PALATAL REGION 



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soft palate. It is thicker above than below, where it becomes very thin and 

 difficult to define. Laterally, it is continuous with the pharyngeal aponeurosis. 

 The Azygos uvulae (m. uvulae) is not li single muscle, as would be inferred 

 from its name, but a pair of narrow cylindrical fleshy fasciculi placed on either 

 side of the median line of the soft palate. Each muscle arises from the posterior 

 nasal spine of the palate bone and from the contiguous tendinous aponeurosis 

 of the soft palate, and descends to be inserted into the uvula. 



Relations. Anteriorly, with the tendinous expansion of the Levatores palati; posteriorly, 

 with the posterior fasciculus of the Palatopharyngeus and the mucous membrane. 



The next two muscles are exposed by removing the mucous membrane from the pillars of 

 the fauces throughout nearly their whole extent. 



p ~h n 

 FIG. 308. Muscles of the soft palate, the pharynx being laid open from behind. 



The Palatoglossus (TO. glossopalatinus) is a small fleshy fasciculus, narrower 

 in the middle than at either extremity, forming, with the mucous membrane 

 covering its surface, the anterior pillar of the soft palate. It arises from the ante- 

 rior surface of the soft palate on each side of the uvula, and, passing downward, 

 forward, and outward in front of the tonsil, is inserted into the side of the tongue, 

 some of its fibres spreading over the dorsum, and others passing deeply into the 

 substance of the organ to intermingle with the Transverse lingualis. In the 

 soft palate the fibres of this muscle are continuous with those of the muscle of 

 the opposite side. 



The Palatopharyngeus (m. pharyngopalatinus) is a long, fleshy fasciculus, 

 narrower in the middle than at either extremity, forming, with the mucous, 



