What does the tensor palatini muscle do?
Function. The tensor veli palatini tenses the soft palate and by doing so, assists the levator veli palatini in elevating the palate to occlude and prevent entry of food into the nasopharynx during swallowing.
What happens when the tensor veli palatini contracts?
Contraction of this muscle tenses the palatine aponeurosis and, therefore, the rostral portion of the soft palate, and depresses this portion of the soft palate toward the tongue. Contraction of the tensor veli palatini muscle also aids in opening the pharyngeal opening of the guttural pouch.
What nerve innervates the tensor veli palatini muscle?
This muscle’s innervation is by the motor part of the mandibular nerve. The mandibular nerve is CNV3 of the trigeminal nerve. [6][5] This nerve also supplies the medial pterygoid. [10] The medial pterygoid and the TVP can work together to open the Eustachian tube and play a role in mastication.
Where is the levator veli palatini muscles?
soft palate
The levator veli palatini muscle is one of the 5 paired muscles of the soft palate. It is a cylindrical muscle which together form a V-shaped sling behind and above the soft palate.
What nerve supplies tensor tympani?
The tensor tympani is innervated by a branch of the fifth cranial nerve, whereas the stapedius is innervated by a branch of the seventh cranial nerve. The muscles receive a dense innervation from motor neurons.
What opens the eustachian tube?
The eustachian tube opens upon swallowing or yawning by contraction of the tensor veli palatini muscle. Defective tensor veli palatini muscle function in cleft palate results in eustachian tube dysfunction. The role of the levator veli palatini muscle is unclear.
What is the origin of the levator veli palatini?
The Levator veli palatini (Levator palati) is a thick, rounded muscle situated lateral to the choanae. It arises from the under surface of the apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone and from the medial lamina of the cartilage of the auditory tube.
What does Veli mean in anatomy?
Veli means veil as in a bride’s veil. palatini means “of the palate” or roof of the mouth. Musculus Tensor Veli Palatini = the muscle that stretches the veil of the palate (tenses soft palate before elevation)
What muscle elevates the eustachian tube?
The eustachian tube opens upon swallowing or yawning by contraction of the tensor veli palatini muscle.
What causes tonic tensor tympani syndrome?
Tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS) has been described to cause TT spasms leading to tinnitus and hyperacusis. TTTS is believed to be an involuntary condition due to an overlying anxiety disorder, which causes a reduction in the threshold required to trigger the TT muscle reflex.
What is tonic tensor tympani syndrome?
Tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS) is an involuntary, anxiety-based condition where the reflex threshold for tensor tympani muscle activity is reduced, causing a frequent spasm. This can trigger aural symptoms from tympanic membrane tension, middle ear ventilation alterations and trigeminal nerve irritability.
Can a doctor see a blocked eustachian tube?
ETD is often easily diagnosed during a visit to a doctor. The doctor may ask questions about hearing changes, pain in the ears, or feelings of pressure. They will also look inside the ear using an otoscope, checking for any signs of infection or blockages.
How is levator veli palatini used in palatal tremor?
Palatal tremor (especially symptomatic type) is generally refractory to medical treatment. Botulinum toxin injections of the levator veli palatini or tensor veli palatini were suggested as the initial treatment because they were shown to be effective with low side effect profile and less invasive than surgical treatment.58
Where does the tensor veli palatini attach to?
The tensor veli palatini is a flat, fusiform muscle that, like the levator, attaches to the petrous part of the temporal bone, the pterygoid bones, and the lateral lamina of the guttural pouch. 51 Its tendon is reflected around the hamulus of the pterygoid bone, where it is lubricated by a bursa.
Where is the levator veli palatini located in the nose?
Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver Levator veli palatini is a paired cylindrical muscle situated lateral to the choanae of nasal cavity, spanning from the petrous part of temporal bone to the superior part of palatine aponeurosis.
How are the muscles of the soft palate innervated?
The tensor veli palatini muscle is innervated by the mandibular nerve through the branch to the medial pterygoid muscle. The other soft palate muscles are innervated by the contribution of the vagus nerve to the pharyngeal plexus. Almost all soft palate tumors arise on the oral surface.