The soft palate is one of the two parts that make up the roof of the mouth. It is the part behind the hard palate. Unlike the hard palate, the soft palate does not contain bones. The soft palate consists of muscles and tissues that make it mobile and flexible. ⠀
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The soft palate rises and covers the nasal passages when we swallow. For this reason, the things we eat and drink do not go into our nose while swallowing.⠀
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Soft Palate Functions;⠀
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• Speech⠀
It is a very complex process involving the tongue, lips and palate. If a person has a cleft palate or another soft palate disease, air may escape through the nose and affect speech. ⠀
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• Breath⠀
The soft palate separates the mouth and nose and acts as a barrier between the digestive and respiratory tracts. This function allows a person to breathe and eat at the same time. But it is not possible to breathe and swallow at the same time.⠀
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• Swallowing⠀
During swallowing and/or swallowing, the soft palate rises to close the opening of the airways.⠀
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In diseases affecting the soft palate, speech, hearing, swallowing and breathing problems may occur.