Tensor veli palatini muscle

The tensor veli palatini (Latin for " soft palate Spanner ") is a strip-shaped skeletal muscle of the head side of the levator veli palatini. It rises on the wing extension ( pterygoid process ) of the sphenoid ( sphenoid ) and the side plate of the Eustachian tube. Its tendon is deflected by a small hook-shaped bony process ( hamulus pterygoid ) of the wedge - or wing bone. At this point it is underlain by a small bursa. The muscle attaches to the Gaumenaponeurose ( palatine aponeurosis ). He bends ( palatine velum, and "soft palate " soft palate ) the soft palate. The innervation is provided by a branch ( medial pterygoid nerve ) of the mandibular nerve ( cranial nerve VIII).

The muscle which, together with the levator veli palatini, the opening of the revenge side opening of the eustachian tube and is thus involved in the equalization of pressure between the outside world and the middle ear. In horses, the muscle is accordingly to the airbag flap and regulates their opening.

• Skeletal muscle of the head