Structure and Origin
- The tensor veli palatini muscle is thin and triangular in shape.
- It arises from the scaphoid fossa of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid anteriorly.
- It arises from the (medial aspect of the) spine of the sphenoid bone posteriorly.
- It arises from the anterolateral aspect of the membranous wall of the pharyngotympanic tube.
- Some muscle fibers may be continuous with those of the tensor tympani muscle.
- No personal pronouns.
Insertion
- Converges to form a tendon of attachment.
- The tendon winds medially around the pterygoid hamulus.
- Inserts into the palatine aponeurosis.
- Inserts into the bony surface posterior to the palatine crest of the horizontal plate of palatine bone.
- No personal pronouns.
Dilator Tubae Component
- Some muscle fibers insert onto the lateral lamina of the cartilaginous part of pharyngotympanic tube.
- Some muscle fibers insert onto adjacent connective tissue.
- Some muscle fibers insert onto Ostmann's fat pad.
- No personal pronouns.
Innervation
- Receives motor innervation from the mandibular nerve (CN V).
- Mandibular nerve is a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).
- Innervated via the nerve to medial pterygoid.
- Not innervated by the pharyngeal plexus.
- Formed by the vagal and glossopharyngeal nerves.
No Identical Concepts Found
The tensor veli palatini muscle (tensor palati or tensor muscle of the velum palatinum) is a thin, triangular muscle of the head that tenses the soft palate and opens the Eustachian tube to equalise pressure in the middle ear.
| Tensor veli palatini muscle | |
|---|---|
 Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind (tensor veli palatini visible at upper right). | |
 The otic ganglion and its branches (tensor veli palatini visible at center left). | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone (scaphoid fossa) |
| Insertion | Palatine aponeurosis |
| Nerve | Mandibular nerve (V3) |
| Actions | Tension of the soft palate |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | Musculus tensor veli palatini |
| TA98 | A05.2.01.103 |
| TA2 | 2129 |
| FMA | 46730 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
