Nerve Supply to the Soft Palate Muscles with Special Reference to the Distribution of the Lesser Palatine Nerve

Abstract

Objective Descriptions of the innervation of the soft palate muscles in previous studies have varied according to the author. In the present study, distribution of the lesser palatine nerve, through which motor fibers of the facial nerve are considered to reach soft palate muscles, and that of the pharyngeal plexus in the soft palate were investigated in order to reexamine the innervation of the soft palate muscles according to anatomical evidence. Results Observations suggested that the levator veli palatini and palatopharyngeus were doubly innervated by branches of the lesser palatine nerve and pharyngeal plexus, and that the musculus uvulae was innervated by only the lesser palatine nerve. Conclusion The soft palate is considered to be located in the border region between the areas of distribution of the lesser palatine nerve and pharyngeal plexus. This may be why controversies exist in previous studies about the innervation of the soft palate muscles.