Palatoglossal arch

The palatoglossal arch is a mucosal fold that extends from the soft palate to the side of the tongue. It forms the anterior pillar of the fauces and contains the palatoglossus muscle beneath its mucous membrane.

The right and left palatoglossal arches mark the lateral boundaries of the isthmus of the fauces, the opening between the oral cavity proper and the oropharynx.

Function

Functionally, the palatoglossus muscle elevates the posterior part of the tongue and depresses the soft palate during swallowing, thereby helping to narrow the oropharyngeal isthmus and prevent regurgitation of food into the oral cavity.

Posterior relation

Posterior to the palatoglossal arch lies the palatine tonsil, situated in the tonsillar fossa between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches.

Innervation

The palatoglossal arch is supplied mainly by branches of the ascending palatine and tonsillar arteries, while motor innervation to the palatoglossus muscle is provided by the pharyngeal plexus via the vagus nerve.