Tensor veli palatini muscle
Encyclopedia
The tensor veli palatini (tensor palati) is a broad, thin, ribbon-like muscle in the head that tenses the soft palate
.
muscle.
It arises by a flat lamella from the scaphoid fossa at the base of the medial pterygoid plate
, from the spina angularis
of the sphenoid
and from the lateral wall of the cartilage of the auditory tube.
Descending vertically between the medial pterygoid plate
and the medial pterygoid muscle
, it ends in a tendon which winds around the pterygoid hamulus
, being retained in this situation by some of the fibers of origin of the medial pterygoid muscle
.
Between the tendon and the hamulus is a small bursa
.
The tendon then passes medially and is inserted into the palatine aponeurosis
and into the surface behind the transverse ridge on the horizontal part of the palatine bone
.
, the third branch of the trigeminal nerve
(CN V).
in elevating the palate to occlude and prevent entry of food into the nasopharynx during swallowing. The tensed palate consequently provides a stable platform for elevation of the pharynx during swallowing by the pharyngeal muscles. Since it is also attached to the lateral cartilaginous lamina of the auditory tube, it assists in its opening during swallowing or yawning to allow air pressure to equalize between the tympanic cavity
and the outside air. Equalization of air pressure in the tympanic cavity is essential for preventing damage to the tympanic membrane and a resulting loss of hearing acuity.
Soft palate
The soft palate is the soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is distinguished from the hard palate at the front of the mouth in that it does not contain bone....
.
Structure
The tensor veli palatini is found anterior-lateral to the levator veli palatiniLevator veli palatini
The levator veli palatini is the elevator muscle of the soft palate in the human body. During swallowing, it contracts, elevating the soft palate to help prevent food from entering the nasopharynx...
muscle.
It arises by a flat lamella from the scaphoid fossa at the base of the medial pterygoid plate
Medial pterygoid plate
The medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid is narrower and longer than the lateral pterygoid plate; it curves lateralward at its lower extremity into a hook-like process, the pterygoid hamulus, around which the tendon of the Tensor veli palatini glides.The lateral surface of this plate forms part...
, from the spina angularis
Spina angularis
The great wings, or ali-sphenoids, are two strong processes of bone, which arise from the sides of the body, and are curved upward, lateralward, and backward; the posterior part of each projects as a triangular process which fits into the angle between the squama and the petrous portion of the...
of the sphenoid
Sphenoid bone
The sphenoid bone is an unpaired bone situated at the base of the skull in front of the temporal bone and basilar part of the occipital bone.The sphenoid bone is one of the seven bones that articulate to form the orbit...
and from the lateral wall of the cartilage of the auditory tube.
Descending vertically between the medial pterygoid plate
Medial pterygoid plate
The medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid is narrower and longer than the lateral pterygoid plate; it curves lateralward at its lower extremity into a hook-like process, the pterygoid hamulus, around which the tendon of the Tensor veli palatini glides.The lateral surface of this plate forms part...
and the medial pterygoid muscle
Medial pterygoid muscle
The medial pterygoid , is a thick, quadrilateral muscle of mastication.The mandibular branch of the fifth cranial nerve, the trigeminal nerve, innervates the medial pterygoid muscle.-Origin and insertion:...
, it ends in a tendon which winds around the pterygoid hamulus
Pterygoid hamulus
The medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid curves laterally at its lower extremity into a hook-like process, the pterygoid hamulus, around which the tendon of the Tensor veli palatini glides.-External links: *...
, being retained in this situation by some of the fibers of origin of the medial pterygoid muscle
Medial pterygoid muscle
The medial pterygoid , is a thick, quadrilateral muscle of mastication.The mandibular branch of the fifth cranial nerve, the trigeminal nerve, innervates the medial pterygoid muscle.-Origin and insertion:...
.
Between the tendon and the hamulus is a small bursa
Bursa (anatomy)
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac lined by synovial membrane with an inner capillary layer of slimy fluid . It provides a cushion between bones and tendons and/or muscles around a joint. This helps to reduce friction between the bones and allows free movement...
.
The tendon then passes medially and is inserted into the palatine aponeurosis
Palatine aponeurosis
Attached to the posterior border of the hard palate is a thin, firm fibrous lamella called the palatine aponeurosis, which supports the muscles and gives strength to the soft palate....
and into the surface behind the transverse ridge on the horizontal part of the palatine bone
Palatine bone
The palatine bone is a bone in many species of the animal kingdom, commonly termed the palatum .-Human anatomy:...
.
Innervation
The tensor veli palatini is innervated by the medial pterygoid nerve, a branch of mandibular nerveMandibular nerve
The mandibular nerve is the largest of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve.-Roots:It is made up of two roots:* a large sensory root proceeding from the inferior angle of the trigeminal ganglion....
, the third branch of the trigeminal nerve
Trigeminal nerve
The trigeminal nerve contains both sensory and motor fibres. It is responsible for sensation in the face and certain motor functions such as biting, chewing, and swallowing. Sensory information from the face and body is processed by parallel pathways in the central nervous system...
(CN V).
Actions
The tensor veli palatini tenses the soft palate and by doing so, assists the levator veli palatiniLevator veli palatini
The levator veli palatini is the elevator muscle of the soft palate in the human body. During swallowing, it contracts, elevating the soft palate to help prevent food from entering the nasopharynx...
in elevating the palate to occlude and prevent entry of food into the nasopharynx during swallowing. The tensed palate consequently provides a stable platform for elevation of the pharynx during swallowing by the pharyngeal muscles. Since it is also attached to the lateral cartilaginous lamina of the auditory tube, it assists in its opening during swallowing or yawning to allow air pressure to equalize between the tympanic cavity
Tympanic cavity
The tympanic cavity is a small cavity surrounding the bones of the middle ear.It is formed from the tubotympanic recess, an expansion of the first pharyngeal pouch....
and the outside air. Equalization of air pressure in the tympanic cavity is essential for preventing damage to the tympanic membrane and a resulting loss of hearing acuity.