Answer
The palate, --also called the roof of the mouth -- is the anatomical structure that separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity. It is usually described as composed of two parts ; the hard palate and the soft palate:
The bony or hard palate. This is formed mainly of the palatine processes which are horizontal extensions of the maxilla. These palatine processes meet at the intermaxillary suture by about the 12th week of gestation. The result of failure of the palatine processes to join is cleft palate-- sometimes with an attendant cleft lip lateral to the midline of the mouth. An infant with a cleft palate has difficulting suckling from the breast. Fortunately this congenital abnormality is easily repaired by surgery.
Work Step by Step
The soft palate is located posterior to the hard palate. it is not part of the skeleton but works intimately with skeletal structures. It comprises muscles; is covered with mucous membrane, and has many mucus and saliva secreting glands. The muscles of the soft palate are tensor veli palatini; the levator veli palatini; the palatoglossus; the palatopharyngeus, and the uvular muscle. The soft palate also has a large palatal aponeurosis.
The most important function of the palate is to separate nasal cavity and oral cavity so we can chew and breathe at the same time. The soft palate helps in speech (especially pronouncing velar consonants. In addition, the uvula at the end of the soft palate protects us by completely closing off the nasopharynx when we sneeze, and by triggering the gag reflex to prevent involuntary swallowing.
