Palate

The palate forms the roof of the oral cavity and the floor of the nasal cavity, separating the oral and nasal passages. It is divided into an anterior hard palate and a posterior soft palate.

Hard palate

The hard palate forms the anterior two-thirds and provides a rigid platform for mastication, speech, and swallowing. It is formed by the palatine processes of the maxillae anteriorly and the horizontal plates of the palatine bones posteriorly. The mucosa of the hard palate is firmly adherent to the underlying periosteum and is lined by stratified squamous epithelium. Along the midline of the hard palate lies the palatine raphe, a narrow mucosal ridge representing the line of embryological fusion of the palatal shelves. Anteriorly, the palatine raphe terminates at the incisive papilla, a small rounded mucosal elevation located immediately posterior to the maxillary central incisors, overlying the incisive canal through which the nasopalatine nerve and vessels pass.

On either side of the anterior hard palate are the transverse palatine folds (palatine rugae), irregular mucosal ridges that assist in manipulation of food during mastication and contribute to tactile sensation within the oral cavity. Numerous minor mucous palatine glands are present beneath the palatal mucosa, particularly posteriorly.

Soft palate

The soft palate is a mobile fibromuscular fold attached to the posterior border of the hard palate. It contains the palatine aponeurosis, skeletal muscles, mucous glands, vessels, and nerves. Its free posterior margin bears the uvula centrally. The soft palate plays an essential role in swallowing and phonation by elevating to close the nasopharynx during deglutition and speech.

• The muscles of soft palate include tensor veli palatini, levator veli palatini, palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus, and musculus uvulae.

• Motor innervation is mainly via the pharyngeal plexus carried by the vagus nerve, except tensor veli palatini, which is supplied by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

• Sensory innervation of the palate is primarily through branches of the maxillary nerve (CN V2), including the greater and lesser palatine nerves and the nasopalatine nerve.

• Blood supply is derived mainly from the greater and lesser palatine arteries and branches of the ascending palatine and ascending pharyngeal arteries.