The soft palate is a soft tissue flap-like structure “hinged” to the back of the hard palate (Fig. 8.10A) with a free posterior margin. It can be elevated and depressed by muscles (Fig. 8.10B).
The soft palate and associated structures can be clearly seen through an open mouth.
The skeletal muscles of the head and neck can be grouped on the basis of function, innervation, and embryological derivation.
In the head