Palatine bone

Palatine bone

The Palatine bone is a bone located in the human skull, specifically in the facial skeleton. It is one of the fourteen bones that make up the facial skeleton, and it contributes to the formation of three important structures: the nasal cavity, the orbit, and the hard palate.

Structure

The palatine bone is L-shaped and consists of two main parts: the horizontal plate and the perpendicular plate. The horizontal plate forms the posterior part of the hard palate, while the perpendicular plate contributes to the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and the floor of the orbit.

Horizontal plate

The horizontal plate of the palatine bone forms the posterior part of the hard palate, which separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. It is bordered by the maxilla anteriorly and the soft palate posteriorly.

Perpendicular plate

The perpendicular plate of the palatine bone forms part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and the floor of the orbit. It is bordered by the ethmoid bone and the sphenoid bone.

Function

The palatine bone plays a crucial role in the structure of the face. It helps form the hard palate, which is essential for speech and swallowing. It also contributes to the walls of the nasal cavity and the orbit, which house the nose and the eye, respectively.

Clinical significance

Damage or abnormalities of the palatine bone can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, a cleft palate can occur if the palatine bones do not fuse properly during fetal development. This can lead to difficulties with feeding, speech, and recurrent ear infections.

See also

• Facial bones
• Human skull
• Orbit (anatomy)
• Nasal cavity
• Hard palate

References

Palatine bone Resources
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