Hard palate

	WikiDoc Resources for Hard palate
Articles
Most recent articles on Hard palate Most cited articles on Hard palate Review articles on Hard palate Articles on Hard palate in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Hard palate Images of Hard palate Photos of Hard palate Podcasts & MP3s on Hard palate Videos on Hard palate
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Hard palate Bandolier on Hard palate TRIP on Hard palate
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Hard palate at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Hard palate Clinical Trials on Hard palate at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Hard palate NICE Guidance on Hard palate NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Hard palate CDC on Hard palate
Books
Books on Hard palate
News
Hard palate in the news Be alerted to news on Hard palate News trends on Hard palate
Commentary
Blogs on Hard palate
Definitions
Definitions of Hard palate
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Hard palate Discussion groups on Hard palate Patient Handouts on Hard palate Directions to Hospitals Treating Hard palate Risk calculators and risk factors for Hard palate
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Hard palate Causes & Risk Factors for Hard palate Diagnostic studies for Hard palate Treatment of Hard palate
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Hard palate
International
Hard palate en Espanol Hard palate en Francais
Business
Hard palate in the Marketplace Patents on Hard palate
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Hard palate

Template:Infobox Anatomy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The hard palate is a thin horizontal bony plate of the skull, located in the roof of the mouth. It spans the arch formed by the upper teeth.

It is formed by the palatine process of the maxilla and horizontal plate of palatine bone.

It forms a partition between the nasal passages and the mouth. This partition is continued deeper into the mouth by a fleshy extension called the soft palate.

Function

The interaction between the tongue and the hard palate is essential in the formation of certain speech sounds, notably. Also surrounds the teeth to protect them.

Cleft

In the birth defect called cleft palate, the left and right portions of this plate are not joined, forming a gap between the mouth and nasal passage (a related defect affecting the face is cleft lip).

Cleft palate has a severe impact upon the ability to nurse and speak but is now cured through reconstructive surgical procedures at an early age (where such procedures are available).