What is the soft palate?

The soft palate is the muscular part at the back of the roof of the mouth. It sits behind the hard palate, which is the bony part of the roof of the mouth. The palates play important roles in swallowing, breathing, and speech.

The hard and soft palates make up the roof of the mouth. The soft palate sits at the back of the mouth, behind the hard palate, which holds the teeth and gums.

The soft palate does not contain any bone but is a fleshy area that ends in the uvula. The uvula is the fleshy projection that hangs down from the soft palate and is visible when a person opens their mouth. The function of the uvula is to block the nasal cavity when a person is eating or drinking.

The soft palate comprises muscle and tissue, which make it mobile and flexible. When a person is swallowing or sucking, the soft palate completely separates the mouth from the throat, which helps keep food out of the respiratory tract. The soft palate is also known as the muscular palate or the velum.

Written by:
Christine Frank
Year:
2019
Category:
Factcheck, Health

United Dentists

We know that every great smile – your smile – is the sign that we’ve done our job to provide the highest level of care in the industry.

Social Networks

Visit United Dentists on these social links and connect with us. Make sure to follow our accounts for regular updates.

Book

Copyright 2024 by United Dentists. All rights reserved.

NEW LOCATION ANNOUNCEMENT: Please click banner for more information.

Dear Patients of United Dentists:

Please be advised that we have moved locations.  Don’t worry we are still located in the Gateway complexes.  You can find us at Gateway Complex 3 on the ground floor next to Wild Orange Spa.

Our New Address is 

101-2031 McCallum Rd
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 3N5

We look forward to treating you in our brand new dental clinic.  Where we will continue to provide excellent dental care for of our patients.

Sincerely,

United Dentists

Dr. Jay Son & Dr. Mike Hira