Palate

PALATE

  • Following the fusions of the facial mesenchyme, the roof of the stomodeum is bounded by the maxillary process laterally and by the medial nasal process and fronto nasal prominence rostrally. A pair of openings from the short nasal cavities enter the roof of the stomodeum.
  • The mesenchymal cells located between the nasal cavities initially form the medial nasal process and ventral aspect of the frontal prominence. These cell population aggregate in the rostral midline to form the medial palatine process, part of which will become the primary palate. Later, the premaxillary bone is formed within the mesenchyme. The palatine fissures mark the caudal margin of the primary palate. The mesenchyme located superficially between the nasal cavities contributes to the rostral cartilages of the snout, philtrum and median part of the upper lip.
  • The oronasal cavity is partially partitioned by two vertical tissue masses, the nasal septum which projects from the roof of the cavity ventrally between the two nasal cavities. Broad mesnchymal process grows into the oronasal cavity from the maxillary processes on both the sides. These are lateral palatine processes, which unite with each other and then with nasal septum and medial palatine process. Bone appears in the anterior part of the fused lateral palatine processes forming the hard palate. Ossification fails at the posterior part, which results in soft palate. The medial palatine process forms the premaxillary portion of the upper jaw.

Anomalies

  • Cleft palate – Failure of fusion of lateral palatine process.
Last modified: Tuesday, 24 August 2010, 9:06 AM