Organ
Hard palate
A rigid partition between mouth and nose
High-yield
Most hard-palate sensation arrives through the greater palatine and nasopalatine nerves. Lesser palatine branches chiefly continue toward the soft palate, so not every nearby palatine opening serves the hard palate itself.
Overview
The anterior roof of the mouth is supported by the maxillary palatine processes and the horizontal plates of the palatine bones. Its oral mucosa is firmly attached in much of the palate and forms a durable surface for contact with food and tongue. The soft palate continues behind it.
Reference facts
- Location
- Between the oral cavity below and the nasal cavities above.
- Parts
- Paired maxillary palatine processes anteriorly and palatine horizontal plates posteriorly, joined across median and transverse sutures.
- Blood supply
- Predominantly greater palatine arteries, with anterior connections through the incisive region to nasal arterial branches.
- Innervation
- Greater palatine nerves supply most oral palatal mucosa; nasopalatine nerves supply the anterior incisive region. Both carry V2 sensory fibers.
- Relations
- The nasal floor is above. Greater palatine foramina lie near the posterior maxillary alveolar region, with variable molar relationships; lesser foramina are farther posterior.
- Function
- Separates oral and nasal spaces and provides a firm surface for food manipulation and speech.
Clinical correlation
Incomplete union of developing palatal tissues can leave a cleft involving hard palate, soft palate or both. A cleft palate can occur with or without a cleft lip and may interfere with feeding and speech.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the hard palate located?
Between the oral cavity below and the nasal cavities above.
What does the hard palate do?
Separates oral and nasal spaces and provides a firm surface for food manipulation and speech.
What are the parts of the hard palate?
Paired maxillary palatine processes anteriorly and palatine horizontal plates posteriorly, joined across median and transverse sutures.
What is the blood supply of the hard palate?
Predominantly greater palatine arteries, with anterior connections through the incisive region to nasal arterial branches.