PALATINE REGION. 63 



The SOFT PALATE, or VELUM PENDULUM PALATI, is a 

 dependent structure which intervenes between the mouth 

 and the pharynx; it is continuous with the roof of the 

 mouth, or hard palate, superiorly ; interiorly its border 

 is free, and from its centre hangs a pendulous body called 

 the uvula. Two folds spring from each side of the uvula, 

 and are continued downward on the sides of the isthmus 

 faucium ; these are the arches or pillars of the palate, the 

 anterior reaching the side of the tongue at its root, and the 

 posterior being continuous with the side of the pharynx. 

 Between these pillars lies the tonsil. 



The' TONSIL is a collection of mucous follicles, forming a 

 body, rounded in shape, but variable in size ; the apertures 

 of the follicles are sometimes very apparent ; it is placed 

 just above the tongue, and corresponds with the angle of 

 the jaw externally. 



The muscles of the palate are difficult of dissection, on account of 

 their small size, and their close connection with surrounding parts. 

 The upper attachment of the pharynx, with the superior constnctor, 

 must be removed ; the mucous membrane of the posterior surface of 

 the soft palate is to be raised with great care, so as not to injure the 

 muscular or tendinous fibres which compose the greater part of its 

 substance ; it may be made tense for dissection by drawing down and 

 fastening the uvula with a hook or pin. 



The LEVATOR PALATI arises from the under surface of 

 the apex of the petrous portion of the temporal bone, and 

 from the cartilage of the Eustachian tube ; it then passes 

 down by the side of the posterior nares, and spreads out 

 in the structure of the soft palate as far as the median 

 line. 



The TENSOR PALATI arises from the scaphoid fossa at 

 the base of the pterygoid plate, and from the outer part of 

 the Eustachian tube ; it terminates in a tendon which winds 

 round the hamular process of the pterygoid plate, and, ex- 

 panding into an aponeurosis, is inserted into the posterior 

 border of the horizontal portion of the palate bone ; it 

 also, with the muscle of the opposite side, helps to form 

 the aponeurotic basis of the soft palate, lying beneath the 

 tendon of the preceding muscle. 



The PALATO-PHARYNGEUS MUSCLE forms the posterior 

 pillar of the soft palate ; it arises by a broad expansion 

 from the lower part of the soft palate, and, joining with 

 the stylo-pharyngeus muscle, is inserted into the posterior 

 border of the thyroid cartilage. 



The AZYGOS UVULAE, situated upon the posterior surface 



