Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to examine the blood supply of the normal velopharyngeal musculature and its clinical implications. Detailed dissections were performed on each side of five fresh human adult cadaveric head and neck specimens (n = 10) following carotid artery injection with liquid neoprene latex stained with green pigment. The vascular network of the soft palate was situated within its glandular layer. The velopharyngeal muscles were supplied by the following four branches of the external carotid artery: (1) ascending palatine branch of the facial artery, which supplied the palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus, musculus uvulae, and the intravelar part of the levator veli palatini; (2) ascending pharyngeal artery, which supplied the superior constrictor; (3) the previously undescribed recurrent pharyngeal artery, which supplied the extravelar part of the levator veli palatini; and (4) maxillary artery, which supplied the tensor veli palatini. All muscles except the musculus uvulae had at least a dual blood supply. Analysis of this vascular anatomy suggests that (1) the overall generous blood supply of the velum allows it to tolerate the dissection performed during intravelar veloplasty and the Furlow double opposing Z-plasty; (2) dissection around the hamulus, along the medial pterygoid plate, and in the space of Ernst should be performed carefully to avoid damage to the ascending palatine artery, ascending pharyngeal, and recurrent pharyngeal arteries; (3) vertical pharyngeal flaps are random pattern in nature; and (4) the posterior tonsilar pillar flaps of the sphincter pharyngoplasty are adequately supplied by the hamular branch of the ascending palatine artery.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.