The palatoglossus muscles depress the palate, move the palatoglossal arches toward the midline like curtains, and elevate the back of the tongue. These actions help close the oropharyngeal isthmus.
The palatoglossus is innervated by the vagus nerve [X] through the pharyngeal branch to the pharyngeal plexus.
The musculus uvulae originates from the posterior nasal spine on the posterior margin of the hard palate and passes directly posteriorly over the dorsal aspect of the palatine aponeurosis to insert into connective tissue underlying the mucosa of the uvula (Fig. 8.272). It passes between the two lamellae of the palatopharyngeus superior to the attachment of the levator veli palatini. Along the midline, the musculus uvulae blends with its partner on the other side.
The musculus uvulae elevates and retracts the uvula. This action thickens the central part of the soft palate and helps the levator veli palatini muscles close the pharyngeal isthmus between the nasopharynx and oropharynx.
The musculus uvulae is innervated by the vagus nerve [X] through the pharyngeal branch to the pharyngeal plexus.
Arteries of the palate include the greater palatine branch of the maxillary artery, the ascending palatine branch of the facial artery, and the palatine branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery. The maxillary, facial, and ascending pharyngeal arteries are all branches that arise in the neck from the external carotid artery (Fig. 8.273).
The ascending palatine artery of the facial artery ascends along the external surface of the pharynx. The palatine branch loops medially over the top of the superior constrictor muscle of the pharynx to penetrate the pharyngeal fascia with the levator veli palatini muscle and follow the levator veli palatini to the soft palate.
The palatine branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery follows the same course as the palatine branch of the ascending palatine artery from the facial artery and may replace the vessel.
The greater palatine artery originates from the maxillary artery in the pterygopalatine fossa. It descends into the palatine canal where it gives origin to a small lesser palatine branch, and then continues through the greater palatine foramen onto the inferior surface of the hard palate (Fig. 8.274). The greater palatine artery passes forward on the hard palate and then leaves the palate superiorly through the incisive canal to enter the medial wall of the nasal cavity where it terminates. The greater palatine artery is the major artery of the hard palate. It also supplies palatal gingiva. The lesser palatine branch passes through the lesser palatine foramen just posterior to the greater palatine foramen, and contributes to the vascular supply of the soft palate.
Veins from the palate generally follow the arteries and ultimately drain into the pterygoid plexus of veins in the infratemporal fossa (Fig. 8.275; also see pp. 980–981), or into a network of veins associated with the palatine tonsil, which drain into the pharyngeal plexus of veins or directly into the facial vein.
Lymphatic vessels from the palate drain into deep cervical nodes (Fig. 8.275).
The palate is supplied by the greater and lesser palatine nerves and the nasopalatine nerve (Figs. 8.274 and 8.276).
originate in the pterygopalatine fossa from the maxillary nerve [V2].