Histologic Study of the Normal Human Adult Soft Palate

Kuehn, David P.; Kahane, Joel C.

doi:10.1597/1545-1569(1990)027<0026:hsotnh>2.3.co;2

Cited by 43 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…In contrast to our findings, other authors have reported that the soft palate and the uvula have a non-keratinized surface epithelium (3,4). The most likely explanation for these disparities is that we have concentrated on the oral surface epithelium, which is subjected to mechanical wear, by speech, snoring and swallowing.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

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Structure of the Human Uvula

Olofsson

Mattsson²,

Hammarström³

et al. 1999

Acta Oto-Laryngologica

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Eleven uvular biopsies were investigated for their morphology, the presence of mast cells and the distribution of hyaluronan and its major ligand CD44. Three microanatomical sites--surface epithelium, subepithelial area and area of glands--were examined. The oral side of the uvula was covered by a 15-20 cell thick layer of keratinized/parakeratinized surface epithelium, firmly anchored to the underlying connective tissue by connective tissue papillae. The width of the intercellular spaces in the epithelium increased toward the basal lamina, a location that exhibited intense hyaluronan and anti-CD44 staining. Most mast cells were located in the vicinity of blood vessels, at which sites there was high staining intensity of hyaluronan. Tissue mast cells could also be observed in the connective tissue septa enclosing the acini. Glands and muscle fibres became more sparse from the proximal part of the uvula to the distal end, while the amount of connective tissue increased. The localization and architecture of connective tissue elements and mast cells are consistent with the ability of the uvula to resist mechanical stresses and to develop oedema and fibrosis, respectively.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…It has been suggested that the uvula serves as an articulator in speech production and plays a major role in moistening the oral cavity (3,4). Nowadays, the uvula is removed as part of the soft palate, together with excessive mucosa on the lateral aspects of the soft palate, at surgical intervention for obstructive sleep apnoea (6,7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure of the Human Uvula

Olofsson

Mattsson²,

Hammarström³

et al. 1999

Acta Oto-Laryngologica

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“…The muscle originates from the base of the skull and courses in a medial, inferior, and anterior direction to the insert into the body of the velum (Huang, Lee, & Rajendran, 1998;Moon & Kuehn, 2004). Studies have examined the velopharyngeal muscles using dissection (Barsoumian, Kuehn, Moon, & Canady, 1998;Mehendale, 2004), histology (Kuehn & Kahane, 1990), electromyography (Kuehn & Moon, 1994), and muscle biopsy during surgery (Lindman, Paulin, & Stål, 2001). However, these are invasive methods for assessing muscle tissue and function.…”

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confidence: 99%

Racial Variations in Velopharyngeal and Craniometric Morphology in Children: An Imaging Study

Kollara

Perry

Hudson

2016

J Speech Lang Hear Res

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine craniometric and velopharyngeal anatomy among young children (4-8 years of age) with normal anatomy across Black and White racial groups. Method: Thirty-two healthy children (16 White and 16 Black) with normal velopharyngeal anatomy participated and successfully completed the magnetic resonance imaging scans. Measurements included 11 craniofacial and 9 velopharyngeal measures. Results: Two-way analysis of covariance was used to determine the effects of race and sex on velopharyngeal measures and all craniometric measures except head circumference. Head circumference was included as a covariate to control for overall cranial size. Sex did not have a significant effect on any of the craniometric measures. Significant racial differences were demonstrated for face height. A significant race effect was also observed for mean velar length, velar thickness, and velopharyngeal ratio. Conclusion:The present study provides separate craniofacial and velopharyngeal values for young Black and White children. Data from this study can be used to examine morphological variations with respect to race and sex.

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“…As neuromuscular function and coordinated muscle activity are considered to be important factors in determining the patency of the upper airways, knowledge about the muscle structure is essential for understanding the normal function and for evaluating neuromuscular dysfunction in this region. Information on the muscle structure, capillary supply and presence of sensory receptors such as muscle spindles in the normal soft palate muscles is so far lacking or very limited (Kuehn & Kahane, 1990 ;Liss, 1990 ;Friberg, 1997).…”

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confidence: 99%

Characterisation of human soft palate muscles with respect to fibre types, myosins and capillary supply

Stål

Lindman

2000

Journal of Anatomy

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Four human soft palate muscles, and palatopharyngeus, the uvula, the levator and tensor veli palatini were examined using enzyme-histochemical, immunohistochemical and biochemical methods and compared with human limb and facial muscles. Our results showed that each palate muscle had a distinct morphological identity and that they generally shared more similarities with facial than limb muscles. The palatopharyngeus and uvula muscles contained 2 of the highest proportions of type II fibres ever reported for human muscles. In contrast, the levator and tensor veli palatini muscles contained predominantly type I fibres. A fetal myosin heavy chain isoform (MyHC), not usually found in normal adult limb muscles, was present in a small number of fibres in all palate muscles. The mean muscle fibre diameter was smaller than in limb muscles and the individual and intramuscular variability in diameter and shape was considerable. All palate muscles had a high capillary density and an unusually high mitochondrial enzyme activity in the type II fibres, in comparison with limb muscles. No ordinary muscle spindles were observed. The fibre type and MyHC composition indicate that the palatopharyngeus and uvula muscles are functionally involved in quick movements whereas the levator and tensor veli palatini muscles perform slower and more continuous contractions. The high aerobic capacity and the rich capillarisation suggest that the palate muscles are relatively fatigue resistant. Absence of ordinary muscle spindles indicates a special proprioceptive control system. The special morphology of the palate muscles may be partly related to the unique anatomy with only one skeletal insertion, a feature consistent with muscle work at low load and tension and which may influence the cytoarchitecture of these muscles. Other important factors determining the special morphological characteristics might be specific functional requirements, distinct embryological origin and phylogenetic factors.

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Histologic Study of the Normal Human Adult Soft Palate

Cited by 43 publications

References 0 publications

Structure of the Human Uvula

Structure of the Human Uvula

Racial Variations in Velopharyngeal and Craniometric Morphology in Children: An Imaging Study

Characterisation of human soft palate muscles with respect to fibre types, myosins and capillary supply

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