Microscopic relationship of palatopharyngeus with levator veli palatini and superior constrictor

초록

Gray's anatomy describes that within the soft palate palatopharyngeus is composed of two fasciculi which are attached to the upper surface of the palatine aponeurosis; they lie in the same plane but are separated from each other by levator veli palatini.1 The intravelar structure has been described in some articles,2~4 however, detailed histologic study focused on the attachment between levator veli palatini and palatopharyngeus has not been performed yet. The aim of this study is to elucidate microscopic relationship between the levator veli palatini, palatopharyngeus, and supenor constrictor muscle in transverse, parasagittal and coronal sections. In ten Korean adult cadavers, entire soft palate were removed, trimmed and preserved in 10% neutral buffered formaline. Specimens were embedded in paraffin and sectioned at a thickness of 10 ㎛. Blocks were cut the course of levator veli palatini. Also, transverse, parasagittal and coronal section were made, stained using Masson's trichrome and observed under light microscope. Levator veli palatini inserted between mucous gland anteriorly and musculus uvulae posteriorly in the midline of the soft palate, where they interdigitated with those of contralateral side. Palatopharyngeus (PP) originated from the palatine aponerosis and posterior mucosa of the soft palate. Most of the fibers of the PP did not crossed the midline in their origin, however, some fibers interdigitated aross the midline. As PP went downwards and crossed the levator, it divided into anterior fasciculus (AF) and posterior fasciculus (PF). AF was thick and went downwards along the anterolateral side of the levator. PF was thin and widely spread along the posteromedial side of levator. Below the levator, two fasciculi united and inserted to the medial side of superior constrictor (SC). There were close attachment between the PP and SC. A detailed understanding of microscopic relationship between the levator veli palatini, palatopharyngeus, and supenor