Hard Palate
The hard palate describes the anterior bony section of the roof of the mouth. It also serves as the floor of the nasal cavities above.
Anatomically It is continuous with the soft palate behind it (i.e. the soft palate is the posterior border) and bordered anterolaterally by the maxillary teeth. It is comprised of the following:
Image illustrating lateral view of hard palate in green
Image illustrating view of hard palate looking into oral cavity
Image illustrating arterial supply and innervation of hard palate
*venous drainage is not required knowledge for the exam
Anatomically It is continuous with the soft palate behind it (i.e. the soft palate is the posterior border) and bordered anterolaterally by the maxillary teeth. It is comprised of the following:
- Palatine processes of maxilla
- Horizontal plates of palatine bones
Image illustrating lateral view of hard palate in green
 | |
Image illustrating view of hard palate looking into oral cavity
 | |
Image illustrating arterial supply and innervation of hard palate
 | |
| Anatomical component | Structure |
|---|---|
| Arterial supply | greater palatine artery |
| Innervation | greater palatine nerve nasopalatine nerve |
| Venouus drainage | Pterygoid and pharyngeal venous plexus* |
| Lymph drainage | Upper deep cervical lymph nodes Retropharyngeal lymph nodes |
*venous drainage is not required knowledge for the exam