Velum Muscles and VPP Closure Methods

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to velum muscles and methods of VPP closure.

Velum

The soft palate, crucial for managing airflow between the oral and nasal cavities during speech.

Levator Veli Palatini

The most important muscle for velum raising; elevates the soft palate to close off the nasopharynx.

Tensor Veli Palatini

Muscle that tenses the soft palate and opens the Eustachian tube.

Palatoglossus

Muscle that draws the soft palate towards the tongue and narrows the oropharyngeal isthmus.

Palatopharyngeus

Muscle that lowers the soft palate and narrows the pharyngeal cavity.

Musculus Uvulae

Muscle that elevates and thickens the uvula, assisting in closing the nasopharynx.

Velopharyngeal Port (VPP)

The port that can be closed using various methods, affecting oral and nasal sound production.

Trapdoor Method

A method of VPP closure where the velum rises to seal against the rear pharyngeal wall.

Circular Method

A method of VPP closure involving both levator palati and the superior pharyngeal constrictor.

Sagittal Method

Uses superior pharyngeal constrictors to squeeze lateral walls around the velum; rare in normal VPP function.

Passavant's Ridge

A temporary muscular ridge forming on the posterior pharyngeal wall during speech or swallowing.

Interaction Between Tongue and Velum

Palatoglossus connects the tongue and velum, influencing positions and resulting speech sounds.