Muscle Velopharyngeal

The palatopharyngeus muscle is one of the muscles of the soft palate, which is located in the front of the pharynx. It is involved in the process of swallowing and is responsible for the up and down movement of the soft palate.

The muscle starts from the lateral wall of the pharynx and passes through the soft palate, where it attaches to its lateral wall. It has the shape of a spindle and consists of several bundles of muscle fibers.

The function of the velopharyngeal muscle is to raise the soft palate during swallowing. When food enters the mouth, the muscle contracts and raises the soft palate, closing the pharynx and preventing food from entering the nasal cavity.

In addition, the muscle is involved in the formation of the voice and ensures the correct pronunciation of sounds. When the muscle contracts, the soft palate rises, which vibrates the vocal cords and produces sound.

The velopharyngeal muscle may also be involved in certain conditions, such as Bell's palsy, when it becomes damaged or does not work properly. This can lead to problems with swallowing, speech and sounds.

Overall, the velopharyngeal muscle plays an important role in our lives and is an important component of our body.