[Palatal Aponeurosis and the Insertion of the Tensor Muscle of the Soft Palate. An Anatomic Study and Clinical Applications]

Introduction: Knowledge of the anatomy of soft palate muscles is of great interest in cleft palate surgery, in surgical correction of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and in excision of maxillo-facial carcinomas. Some authors described the palatal aponeurosis as the expansion of the tendon of the two tensor veli palatini muscles, others stated that the palatal aponeurosis is a distinct anatomic entity.

Method: Ten dissections of the soft palate have been performed to improve our knowledge of its anatomy.

Results: The palatal aponeurosis is a distinct anatomic entity continuous with the periosteum of the nasal cavity. The tendon of the tensor veli palatini terminated on the inferior side of the aponeurosis. One fifth of the tensor's tendinous fibers terminated on the posterior border of the palatine bone and the others are spreading on the anterior and inferior side of the palatal aponeurosis.

Discussion: In cleft palate patients, this aponeurosis is absent, the palatal muscles are attached to the posterior border of the palatine bones. So it seems to be logical to recommend a soft-palate "pushback" to create a new space between the posterior border of the palatine bones and the soft-palate muscles.