Hard palate 609342 191091916 2008-02-13T07:11:33Z Harris7 13783 /* Function */ rv edits by 74.104.26.180 {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = palatum durum | GraySubject = 38 | GrayPage = | Image = Illu mouth.jpg | Caption = Mouth (oral cavity) | Image2 = | Caption2 = | Precursor = | System = | Artery = [[greater palatine artery]] | Vein = | Nerve = [[greater palatine nerve]], [[nasopalatine nerve]] | Lymph = | MeshName = Hard+Palate | MeshNumber = A02.835.232.781.324.502.660 | DorlandsPre = p_02 | DorlandsSuf = 12607528 | }} The '''hard palate''' is a thin horizontal [[bone|bony]] plate of the [[skull]], located in the roof of the mouth. It spans the arch formed by the upper [[teeth]]. It is formed by the [[palatine process of the maxilla]] and [[horizontal plate of palatine bone]]. It forms a partition between the nasal passages and the [[mouth]]. This partition is continued deeper into the mouth by a fleshy extension called the [[soft palate]]. ==Function== The interaction between the [[tongue]] and the hard palate is essential in the formation of certain [[Speech communication|speech]] sounds, notably /t/, /d/, /c/, and /{{IPA|ɟ}}/. ==Cleft== In the [[birth defect]] called [[cleft palate]], the left and right portions of this plate are not joined, forming a gap between the mouth and nasal passage (a related defect affecting the face is [[cleft lip]]). Cleft palate has a severe impact upon the ability to [[lactation|nurse]] and speak but is now cured through reconstructive [[surgery|surgical]] procedures at an early age (where such procedures are available). ==See also== * [[Soft palate]] * [[Palate]] * [[Maxilla]] * [[Head and neck anatomy]] ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Illu03 mouth.jpg|Mouth Image:Gray160.png|The bony palate and [[alveolar arch]]. Image:Gray187.png|Base of skull. Inferior surface. Image:Gray194.png|Sagittal section of skull. Image:Gray196.png|Roof, floor, and lateral wall of left nasal cavity. Image:Gray771.png|Nerves of septum of nose. Right side. Image:Gray855.png|Lateral wall of nasal cavity. Image:Gray859.png|Coronal section of nasal cavities. Image:Gray994.png|Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx. </gallery> ==External links== * {{eMedicineDictionary|Hard+palate}} * {{RocheLexicon|25420.000-1}} {{Head and neck general}} [[Category:Mouth]] [[ar:حنك صلب]] [[dv:ހަރު ތަލި]] [[ko:경구개]] [[pt:Palato duro]]