Formation of the Palate

Questions and Answers

Fusion of medial nasal folds

Shelf-like palatine processes of maxilla and horizontal plates of palatine bone

Most of the palate

Unossified posterior part of fused palatal processes Signup and view all the answers

Forms the nasal folds Signup and view all the answers

To raise a ridge on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx Signup and view all the answers

A barrier between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx Signup and view all the answers

Upper fibres Signup and view all the answers

Passavant's ridge Signup and view all the answers

Pharyngeal isthmus Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The premaxilla, which carries the upper four incisor teeth, is formed by the fusion of medial nasal folds from the frontonasal process.
The palatine processes of the maxilla and horizontal plates of the palatine bone form shelf-like structures that contribute to the formation of the palate.
Most of the palate undergoes ossification to form the hard palate.
The unossified posterior part of the fused palatal processes forms the soft palate.

Some upper fibres of the palatopharyngeus muscle pass circularly deep to the mucous membrane of the pharynx.
These fibres form a sphincter internal to the superior constrictor, known as Passavant's muscle.
When Passavant's muscle contracts, it raises a ridge called Passavant's ridge on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
The soft palate, when elevated, comes in contact with Passavant's ridge, closing the pharyngeal isthmus between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx.

The pharyngeal isthmus is a passage between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx.
Elevating the soft palate brings it in contact with Passavant's ridge, thereby closing the pharyngeal isthmus.