what is the palatopharyngeal arch

Palatopharyngeal arch The palatopharyngeal arch (pharyngopalatine arch, posterior pillar of fauces

) is larger and projects farther toward the middle line than the palatoglossal arch; it runs downward, lateralward, and backward to the side of the pharynx, and is formed by the projection of the palatopharyngeal muscle, covered by mucous membrane.

Full Answer

What is the palatopharyngeus arch?

pal·a·to·pha·ryn·ge·al arch. One of a pair of ridges or folds of mucous membrane that pass downward from the posterior margin of the soft palate to the lateral wall of the pharynx. It encloses the palatopharyngeus muscle and forms the posterior margin of the tonsillar fossa.

What is the difference between palatopharyngeal and palatoglossal?

Anatomical terminology. The palatopharyngeal arch (pharyngopalatine arch, posterior pillar of fauces) is larger and projects farther toward the middle line than the Palatoglossal arch; it runs downward, lateralward, and backward to the side of the pharynx, and is formed by the projection of the Pharyngopalatinus, covered by mucous membrane.

What is the function of the palatopharyngeus?

In the soft palate this muscle forms the posterior (palatopharyngeal) arch, while as a muscle of the pharynx, the palatopharyngeus elevates the pharynx superiorly, anteriorly and medially. Thus sharing a common function with all the other pharyngeal muscles; assisting deglutition.

What is the meaning of palmar arch?

pal·a·to·pha·ryn·ge·al arch. one of a pair of ridges or folds of mucous membrane that pass downward from the posterior margin of the soft palate to the lateral wall of the pharynx.

What does palatopharyngeal mean?

adj. Relating to the palate and the pharynx.

What is the palatopharyngeal fold?

pal·a·to·pha·ryn·ge·al arch [TA] one of a pair of ridges or folds of mucous membrane that pass downward from the posterior margin of the soft palate to the lateral wall of the pharynx. It encloses the palatopharyngeus muscle and forms the posterior margin of the tonsillar fossa.

What is palatoglossal arch?

The right and left palatoglossus muscles create ridges in the lateral pharyngeal wall, referred to as the palatoglossal arches (anterior faucial pillars). These pillars separate the oral cavity and the oropharynx — the muscle functions as an antagonist to the levator veli palatini muscle.

Where is the palatoglossal arch located?

The palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches are the two mucosal folds that extend inferiorly from each lateral border of the soft palate. The palatoglossal arch is located anteriorly. It contains the palatoglossus muscle and connects the soft palate with the root of the tongue.

Which gland is located between Palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal Arches?

The palatine (or faucial) tonsils, commonly referred to as tonsils, are bundles of lymphatic tissue located in the lateral oropharynx. They sit in the isthmus of the fauces, bordered anteriorly by the palatoglossal arch and posteriorly by the palatopharyngeal arch.

What is the arch in the back of your mouth called?

The palatoglossal arch (glossopalatine arch, anterior pillar of fauces) on either side runs downward, lateral (to the side), and forward to the side of the base of the tongue, and is formed by the projection of the glossopalatine muscle with its covering mucous membrane.

What is the Glossopalatine fold?

(pal'ă-tō-glos'ăl ahrch) [TA] One of a pair of ridges or folds of mucous membrane passing from the soft palate to the side of the tongue; it encloses the palatoglossus muscle and forms the anterior margin of the tonsillar fossa.

What is Passavant's Ridge?

The Passavant cushion or ridge is a small prominence in the posterior pharynx, formed from a focal bulge of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscles during swallowing.

What does the Stylopharyngeus do?

The stylopharyngeus muscle act as a significant dilating muscle of the nasopharynx. During breathing, the contraction of this muscle pulls the nasopharyngeal wall dorsally. This action prevents the dynamic collapse of the dorsal wall of the nasopharynx by supporting the wall during inspiration.

Where is the Salpingopharyngeus located?

The salpingopharyngeus muscle arises from the inferior part of the cartilage of the pharyngotympanic tube (Eustachian tube) in the nasal cavity; it passes downward and blends with the posterior fasciculus of the palatopharyngeus muscle.

What is Passavant's Ridge?

The Passavant cushion or ridge is a small prominence in the posterior pharynx, formed from a focal bulge of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscles during swallowing.

What does the uvula do in your mouth?

Your uvula is the little fleshy hanging ball in the back of your throat. As part of your soft palate, it helps prevent food and liquid from going up your nose when you swallow. It also secretes saliva to keep your mouth hydrated.

Which muscle inserts into the palatopharyngeus?

At the point where the anterior and posterior fascicles fuse, the salpingopharyngeus muscle inserts into the palatopharyngeus by fusing with its fibers. Anteromedially to palatopharyngeus is the stylopharyngeus muscle. The two muscles maintain a close relationship as they course towards their insertion at the posterior border of thyroid cartilage.

Which muscle group is the palatopharyngeus muscle?

Due to its length this muscle belongs to both the soft palate and pharyngeal muscle groups; Longitudinal muscles of the pharynx - together with salpingopharyngeus and stylopharyngeus.

What muscles are in the soft palate?

Muscles of the soft palate - along with the musculus uvulae, tensor veli palatini, levator veli palatini, palatopharyngeus and palatoglossus muscles. In the soft palate this muscle forms the posterior (palatopharyngeal) arch, while as a muscle of the pharynx, the palatopharyngeus elevates the pharynx superiorly, anteriorly and medially.

Which muscle is responsible for preventing aspiration of food?

Palatopharyngeus muscle assists deglutition as it shortens the pharynx by elevating it superiorly, anteriorly and medially. This action closes the laryngeal airway and prevents aspiration of food.

Which muscle controls the shape of the uvula?

Medially to the muscle’s origin is the musculus uvulae, the muscle that controls the shape of the uvula, while the levator veli palatini muscle is in the forceps between the anterior and posterior palatopharyngeus muscle fascicles.

Where does the palatopharyngeus originate?

Palatopharyngeus muscle originates from the posterior border of hard palate and palatine aponeurosis. The originating fibers are divided by the levator veli palatini muscle into anterior and posterior fascicles or layers, which converge into a compact muscle belly at the posterolateral border of soft palate.

Where does the oropharynx muscle go?

In the oropharynx, the muscle fibers gradually diverge into a fan-shaped insertion, with most of the fibers inserting to the posterior border of thyroid cartilage , while some cross the midline and blend with the contralateral palatopharyngeus muscle.

Words nearby palatopharyngeal arch

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

How to use palatopharyngeal arch in a sentence

On the steps of the old courthouse in the shadow of the arch where Al Sharpton addressed a media horde.

Where is the palatoglossal arch located?

The palatoglossal arch is located anteriorly. It contains the palatoglossus muscle and connects the soft palate with the root of the tongue.

Which border of the soft palate faces towards the oropharynx?

Via these arches, the lateral borders of the soft palate are continuous with the tongue and the lateral wall of the pharynx, respectively. The posteroinferior border of the soft palate is free and faces towards the oropharynx.

What is the aponeurosis of the soft palate?

The palatine aponeurosis is an expansion of the tendon of the tensor veli palatini muscle and it comprises the anterior one-third of the soft palate. The aponeurosis is thick anteriorly and serves to attach the soft palate to the bony framework of the hard palate.

Where does the innervation of the soft palate come from?

The motor innervation for the muscles of the soft palate comes from the pharyngeal plexus derived from the vagus nerve (CN X). The only exception is the tensor veli palatini muscle which is supplied by the medial pterygoid nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

Which muscles produce the tension of the soft palate?

The palatopharyngeus and tensor veli palatini muscles produce the tension of the soft palate during swallowing. This enables the tongue to press against the soft palate and push the food towards the oropharynx. The elevation of the soft palate is produced by the levator veli palatini muscle.

Why are the pillars of fauces called pillars?

These two arches together are called the pillars of fauces, because they bound the space called the fauces, or simply the throat. The roof of the fauces is the oral surface of the soft palate, while the floor is the root of the tongue.

Why is the soft palate important?

Furthermore, the soft palate plays an important role in speech, as it enables the pronunciation of velar consonants together with the tongue. This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the soft palate. Key facts about the soft palate. Surfaces and borders. Surfaces: Oral, nasal.

What is the pharynx?

The pharynx is an area in the neck and throat. It is divided into three sections: Nasopharynx is the top section. Oropharynx is the middle section. Hypopharynx is the lowest section. The oropharynx is the space in the back of the mouth, sometimes called the back of the throat. The base of the tongue, parts of the tonsil, ...

How to see pharynx?

The doctor will examine your mouth, throat, ears and will use a small lighted mirror to examine your pharynx. The doctor will pass a thin flexible tube with a light at the end (flexible endoscope) into the nostril to look at the back of the nose. A local anesthetic spray might be used to numb your nose and throat. You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything for an hour afterwards, or until your throat is no longer numb.

Can pharyngeal cancer be caused by a non-cancerous condition?

These symptoms are also common in non-cancerous conditions. Most people with these symptoms do not have cancer of the pharynx. Causes and Risk Factors. The exact cause of pharyngeal cancer is not known. Occurs more often in ages 50 to 60, but can occur at any age. It affects more men than women.