primary palate

primary palate,

a shelf formed from the medial nasal process of an embryo that separates the primitive nasal cavity from the oral cavity.

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palate (pal´t),

n the bone and soft tissue that closes the space encompassed by the maxillary arch, extending posteriorly to the pharynx. The palate forms the “roof of the mouth” and connects to the nasal septum and floor of the nose in the midline.

palate, acquired cleft,

n a noncongenital defect of soft or hard tissues of the hard and soft palate.

palate, cleft,

n a cleft in the palate between the two palatal processes. It can vary in involvement and can be associated with cleft lip. If both hard and soft palates are involved, it is a
uranostaphyloschisis; if only the soft palate is divided, it is a
uranoschisis. The term
cleft palate is often erroneously applied to clefts between the median nasal and maxillary processes through the alveolus. The proper term for this type of cleft is
cleft jaw, or
gnathoschisis.

Cleft palate.

n a congenital nonunion or inadequacy of soft and hard tissues related to the lip, nose, alveolar process, hard palate, and velum. The extent of these deformities varies among individuals. Varieties of classifications are available to identify the extent of the cleft.

palate, hard,

n the anterior part of the palate, which is supported by and includes the palatal extensions of the maxillary and palatine bones.

palate, primary,

n the shelf separating the oral and nasal cavities that is formed during early embryonic development from protrusions of tissue between the olfactory pits. It is also called
primitive palate.

palate, secondary,

n the final palate that is formed during embryonic development when projections from the nasal prominences come together to create portions of the maxillary arch.

palate, soft,

n the part of the palate lying posterior to the hard palate, composed of only soft tissues without underlying bony support.

palate, soft, redivision,

n the surgical incision or removal of a V-shaped area of tissue from the soft palate to facilitate the proper placement of the pharyngeal section of a prosthetic speech aid.

palate splitting appliance,

n an orthodontic appliance cemented to buccal teeth on either side, incorporating a jackscrew that is progressively extended to accomplish forceful separation of the two lateral halves of the bony palate. Similar corrections also are accomplished with removable split-palate appliances.