Anterior or superior velum, also known as the soft palate, refers to the soft, flexible tissue located at the back of the roof of the mouth. It is positioned above the hard palate, which forms the front portion of the roof of the mouth.
The anterior or superior velum is a crucial anatomical structure involved in the process of speech production and swallowing. It plays a significant role in separating the oral and nasal cavities during these functions. When the velum is in its resting position, it is raised, allowing the oral cavity to be separated from the nasal cavity. This prevents the escape of air through the nose while speaking and eating, directing it solely through the mouth.
During speech production, the anterior or superior velum shows its dynamic nature by modifying its position according to specific sounds. For nasal sounds, such as /m/, /n/, and /ng/, the velum lowers to allow the released air to pass through the nasal cavity. Conversely, for non-nasal sounds, the velum remains raised to channel the airflow solely through the oral cavity.
In summary, the anterior or superior velum is a soft, flexible structure located at the back of the roof of the mouth. It plays a crucial role in separating the oral and nasal cavities during speech production and swallowing, ensuring that air, sounds, and food are directed through the appropriate pathways.
