SOFT PALATE Meaning and
Definition
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The soft palate, also known as the velum or muscular palate, is a movable, fleshy part located at the posterior (back) end of the roof of the mouth in humans and other mammals. It is a flexible, muscular structure involved in various functions within the oral cavity.
Anatomically, the soft palate separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. It is positioned above the hard palate which forms the anterior (front) part of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is composed of muscles covered by mucous membrane, giving it a soft, smooth texture.
One of the key functions of the soft palate is its role in speech production. During the act of speaking, it can manipulate airflow by either raising or lowering itself. When the soft palate is raised, it touches the back of the throat, effectively closing off the nasal cavity and directing all air through the mouth, allowing the production of sounds like p, b, and m. Conversely, when it is lowered, it opens the nasal passage, enabling airflow through both the nasal and oral cavities, facilitating the production of sounds like n or ng.
Additionally, the soft palate also plays a vital role in swallowing and eating. During swallowing, it rises to close off the nasal cavity, preventing food and liquid from entering the nose. This action ensures that food and drink are directed towards the esophagus and not mistakenly sent up the nasal passage.
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• Palatum molle, velum pendulum palati, the posterior fleshy portion of the palate, dividing the oral from the nasal pharynx.
• Velum pendulum palati, palatum molle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SOFT PALATE
- aoft palate
- zoft palate
- xoft palate
- doft palate
- eoft palate
- woft palate
- sift palate
- skft palate
- slft palate
- spft palate
- s0ft palate
- s9ft palate
- sodt palate
- soct palate
- sovt palate
- sogt palate
- sott palate
- sort palate
- sofr palate
Etymology of SOFT PALATE
The word "soft palate" is derived from the Latin term "palatum" meaning "roof of the mouth". The term "palatum" was later combined with the Latin adjective "mollis" meaning "soft" to form the term "palatum molle", which translates to "soft palate" in English.
Similar spelling words for SOFT PALATE
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