Palatoglossus

Definition

The palatoglossus is a muscle found in the mouth, which runs from the soft palate to the sides of the tongue. It functions in elevating the back of the tongue and lowering the soft palate during swallowing and speaking.

Related terms

Soft Palate:

The flexible part at the back of the roof of the mouth, which closes off the nasal passages during swallowing.

Tongue:

A muscular organ in the mouth that is involved in tasting, swallowing, and speech.

Swallowing: The complex process of moving food from the mouth through the pharynx and into the esophagus