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The tensor veli palatini muscle (tensor palati or tensor muscle of the velum palatinum) is a thin, triangular muscle of the head that tenses the soft palate and opens the Eustachian tube to equalise pressure in the middle ear.
The Eustachian tube (/ j uː ˈ s t eɪ ʃ ən /), also called the auditory tube or pharyngotympanic tube, [1] is a tube that links the nasopharynx to the middle ear, of which it is also a part. In adult humans, the Eustachian tube is approximately 35 mm (1.4 in) long and 3 mm (0.12 in) in diameter. [ 2 ]
The salpingopharyngeus muscle is a muscle of the pharynx. It arises from the lower part of the cartilage of the Eustachian tube, [1] and inserts into the palatopharyngeus muscle by blending with its posterior fasciculus. It is innervated by vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) via the pharyngeal plexus.
The levator veli palatini muscle elevates the soft palate during swallowing. This helps to prevent food from entering the nasopharynx. Its action may be slightly slower than its partner, the tensor veli palatini muscle. [1] It has little to no effect on the pharyngotympanic tube. [2]
The tensor tympani is a muscle within the middle ear, located in the bony canal above the bony part of the auditory tube, and connects to the malleus bone. Its role is to dampen loud sounds, such as those produced from chewing, shouting, or thunder.
Yawning which helps to open the eustachian tubes; [2] Swallowing which helps to open the eustachian tubes; [2] The "Frenzel maneuver": [2] [5] Using the rear part of the tongue and throat muscles, close the nostrils, and close the back of the throat as if straining to lift a weight. Then make the sound of the letter "K."
One of these muscles, the tensor veli palatini, also acts to open the Eustachian tube. This is why swallowing or yawning is successful in equalizing middle ear pressure. Contrary to popular belief, the jaw does not pinch the tubes shut when closed. The Eustachian tubes are not located close enough to the mandible to be pinched off.
The auditory tube, which connects the middle ear to the pharynx, opens into the nasopharynx at the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube. The opening and closing of the auditory tubes serves to equalize the barometric pressure in the middle ear with that of the ambient atmosphere. Details of torus tubarius