The palatopharyngeal arch is the rear fold of mucosa at the back of the mouth, running from the soft palate down the side wall of the pharynx. It contains the palatopharyngeus muscle and forms the back pillar of the tonsillar fossa.
| Location | Lateral wall of the oropharynx, behind the palatine tonsil |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus (motor); Glossopharyngeal nerve (sensation) |
| Blood Supply | Ascending palatine artery; Ascending pharyngeal artery; Tonsillar branch of the facial artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Helps raise the pharynx and larynx and close off the nasopharynx during swallowing.
Together with the palatoglossal arch it holds the palatine tonsil between them. Surgery to reshape the arches and soft palate (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) is sometimes used for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Inflammation of the tonsil between the arches, causing sore throat and painful swallowing.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
