Hard palate

/hˈɑːd pˈalət/

/hˈɑːɹd pˈælət/

[noun]

Hard palate

[NOUN]

the bony structure in the roof of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities

What is "hard palate"?

The hard palate is a bony structure located in the roof of the mouth, separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity in the human body. It is formed by the maxilla and palatine bones and is covered by a layer of mucous membrane. The hard palate provides support for the teeth and plays a crucial role in various functions, including speech, swallowing, and chewing.

Examples

1. Your anterior hard palate and the flexible posterior soft palate form the roof of your mouth.

2. The hard palate provides, like, a hard surface for the tongue to mash food against, while the soft palate forms a movable fold of flesh that reflexively closes off the nasopharynx when you swallow, so food gets directed down your esophagus and not up into your nasal cavity.