What it means
The soft palate lies behind the hard palateHARD PAL-itThe bony front part of the roof of the mouth.Full entry , and the uvula hangs from its edge. When a person swallows, it lifts to close off the back of the nose so food and drink do not go up into it. It also helps shape speech sounds.
For the nurse
Ask the client to say "ah" and watch the soft palate and uvula rise evenly on both sides; uneven movement can mean a cranial nerve problem.
At a glance
| Spanish | paladar blando |
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Related terms
dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing.
hard palate
The bony front part of the roof of the mouth.