A study on the ultrasound anatomy of normal soft palate

Objective To investigate sonographyic characteristics of normal soft palata.Methods The soft palate of thirty one healthy volunteers were observed by ultrasonography in submaxillary region.The thickness,length and movement of soft palate were measured.Results Soft palate was found as a hypoecho strip by coronary scan and a arc from the combination of hard palate and soft palate to the free margin of soft palate in longitudinal section.Thickness of soft palate was ( 5.4 ± 1.0 )mm, length ( 43.9 ± 6.7 )mm,movement ( 7.4 ± 0.8 )mm respectively.Conclusions The observation of anatomical structure and movement of soft palate by ultrasonic examination is helpful to the evaluation of the velopharyngeal insufficiency after cleft palate repair,which is an accurate and repeated method.