Anatomy & Histology · patient case question
Which muscle forms the fold immediately ANTERIOR to the palatine tonsil?
Patient case: Young man with a white 'stone' in his throat
Patient: Male, 21 years old
Chief complaint: “I have this white stone in my mouth that doesn't want to come out.”
Background: Had influenza 3 weeks ago. Oral hygiene is normal.
Current findings: White, calculus-like concretion visible in the oropharynx.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Palatoglossus
- A. CORRECT. The palatine tonsil sits in the tonsillar fossa between two folds. The ANTERIOR fold, the palatoglossal arch, is raised by PALATOGLOSSUS. It is worth noting that palatoglossus is classified as a muscle of the soft palate rather than of the tongue, despite its name and its action of elevating the tongue base.
- B. The superior constrictor forms the lateral pharyngeal wall deep to the tonsillar bed, not the anterior fold.
- C. Palatopharyngeus raises the POSTERIOR fold (palatopharyngeal arch), behind the tonsil.
- D. Styloglossus retracts and elevates the tongue; it does not form the tonsillar arches.
Note: Anterior = palatoGLOSSal arch; posterior = palatoPHARYNGeal arch. Among soft palate muscles, tensor veli palatini is the odd one out — supplied by V3, all others by the pharyngeal plexus.
Practice Anatomy & Histology questions Anatomy & Histology study notes