Musculus uvulae

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Musculus uvulae
Details
OriginPosterior nasal spine and palatine aponeurosis
InsertionUvula
NerveVagus nerve (via pharyngeal plexus)
ActionsRetracts the uvula
Identifiers
Latinmusculus uvulae,[1][2]
musculus azygos uvulae,[2]
uvularis[2]
TA98A05.2.01.104
TA22130
FMA46733
Anatomical terms of muscle

The musculus uvulae[1] (also muscle of uvula, uvular muscle, or palatouvularis muscle[2]) is a bilaterally muscle of the soft palate (one of five such muscles) that acts to shorten the uvula when both muscles contract.[3] It forms most of the mass of the uvula.[2] It is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve (cranial nerve X).[3][4]

Anatomy

The muscle is situated in between the two laminae of the

oropharynx.[4]

Origin

The muscle arises from the posterior nasal spine of the palatine bone, and the (superior aspect of the[4]) palatine aponeurosis.[3][4]

Insertion

The muscle inserts into the mucous membrane of the uvula.[3][4]

Vasculature

The muscle receives arterial blood from the ascending palatine artery, and the descending palatine artery.[4]

Actions/movements

Bilateral contraction of the two muscles shortens the uvula.[3] It also elevates[2] and retracts[4] the uvula.

Unilateral contraction draws the uvula ipsilaterally.[3]

Function

By retracting the uvula and thickening the middle portion of the soft palate, the muscle assist the

oropharynx.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Anatonomina". www.terminologia-anatomica.org. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Musculus uvulae muscle". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  3. ^
    PMID 32491749
    , retrieved 2023-07-17
  4. ^
    OCLC 1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )