Mnemonic

Soft Palate Muscles

Mnemonic for the five muscles of the soft palate.

Expansion

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Mnemonic

Five muscles, and all are vagus (X) except tensor veli palatini, which is V3:

  • Tensor veli palatini, V3
  • Levator veli palatini
  • Palatoglossus
  • Palatopharyngeus
  • Musculus uvulae

Tensor veli palatini is the exception because it develops from the first pharyngeal arch while the rest are fourth arch. It also opens the Eustachian tube on swallowing, which is why the ears “pop”, and why a cleft palate causes glue ear.

A unilateral vagal lesion makes the uvula deviate away from the affected side, since the working side pulls it across.

Expansion

  • T - Tensor veli palatini
  • L - Levator veli palatini
  • P - Palatoglossus
  • P - Palatopharyngeus
  • U - Musculus uvulae