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The Pan African Medical Journal 2022
Topics: Hematoma; Humans; Palate, Soft; Plastic Surgery Procedures
PubMed: 35519169
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.41.144.32021 -
Journal of Dental Research Aug 2019Orofacial clefting is the most common congenital craniofacial malformation, appearing in approximately 1 in 700 live births. Orofacial clefting includes several distinct... (Review)
Review
Orofacial clefting is the most common congenital craniofacial malformation, appearing in approximately 1 in 700 live births. Orofacial clefting includes several distinct anatomic malformations affecting the upper lip and hard and soft palate. The etiology of orofacial clefting is multifactorial, including genetic or environmental factors or their combination. A large body of work has focused on the molecular etiology of cleft lip and clefts of the hard palate, but study of the underlying etiology of soft palate clefts is an emerging field. Recent advances in the understanding of soft palate development suggest that it may be regulated by distinct pathways from those implicated in hard palate development. Soft palate clefting leads to muscle misorientation and oropharyngeal deficiency and adversely affects speech, swallowing, breathing, and hearing. Hence, there is an important need to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of soft palate development. Significantly, the anatomy, function, and development of soft palatal muscles are similar in humans and mice, rendering the mouse an excellent model for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms of soft palate clefts. Cranial neural crest-derived cells provide important regulatory cues to guide myogenic progenitors to differentiate into muscles in the soft palate. Signals from the palatal epithelium also play key roles via tissue-tissue interactions mediated by Tgf-β, Wnt, Fgf, and Hh signaling molecules. Additionally, mutations in transcription factors, such as , and , have been associated with soft palate clefting in humans and mice, suggesting that they play important regulatory roles during soft palate development. Finally, we highlight the importance of distinguishing specific types of soft palate defects in patients and developing relevant animal models for each of these types to improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of soft palate development. This knowledge will provide a foundation for improving treatment for patients in the future.
Topics: Animals; Cleft Palate; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Mice; Mutation; Palate, Soft; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 31150594
DOI: 10.1177/0022034519851786 -
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) May 2021Our objective was to determine the branching and distribution of the motor nerves supplying the human soft palate muscles. Six adult specimens of the soft palate in...
Our objective was to determine the branching and distribution of the motor nerves supplying the human soft palate muscles. Six adult specimens of the soft palate in continuity with the pharynx, larynx, and tongue were processed with Sihler's stain, a technique that can render large specimens transparent while counterstaining their nerves. The cranial nerves were identified and dissection followed their branches as they divided into smaller divisions toward their terminations in individual muscles. The results showed that both the glossopharyngeal (IX) and vagus (X) nerves have three distinct branches, superior, middle, and inferior. Only the middle branches of each nerve contributed to the pharyngeal plexus to which the facial nerve also contributed. The pharyngeal plexus was divided into two parts, a superior innervating the palatal and neighboring muscles and an inferior innervating pharyngeal constrictors. The superior branches of the IX and X nerves contributed innervation to the palatoglossus, whereas their middle branches innervated the palatopharyngeus. The palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus muscles appeared to be composed of at least two neuromuscular compartments. The lesser palatine nerve not only supplied the palatal mucosa and palatine glandular tissue but also innervated the musculus uvulae, palatopharyngeus, and levator veli palatine. The latter muscle also received its innervation from the superior branch of X nerve. The findings would be useful for better understanding the neural control of the soft palate and for developing novel neuromodulation therapies to treat certain upper airway disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Topics: Aged; Female; Glossopharyngeal Nerve; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Palatal Muscles; Palate, Soft
PubMed: 33034133
DOI: 10.1002/ar.24531 -
European Archives of... Mar 2022The soft palate (SP) has a complex anatomy and physiology. Reconstruction after tumour resection is a challenge, and procedures that only restore bulk don't give good...
PURPOSE
The soft palate (SP) has a complex anatomy and physiology. Reconstruction after tumour resection is a challenge, and procedures that only restore bulk don't give good results. We aim to present a new technique for the in-setting and the functional outcomes.
METHODS
We retrospectively included in a monocentric retrospective cohort study every patient with a first diagnosis of a soft palate squamous cell carcinoma (SPSCC), who underwent a tumoral resection with a free flap reconstruction, from February 2013 to July 2017. For the in-setting, a special care is given for the flap in-setting: we suture the flap more caudally than usual under the tongue base, creating a neo-posterior pilar. The primary outcome was the deglutition function, assessed by the M. D Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). We also analyzed the patient's quality of life with the FOSS score and the occurrence of nasal regurgitation or larynx aspiration.
RESULTS
We included twenty patients, with a median follow-up of 26.5 months. The median MDADI score was 89, and the mode was 93. A Fisher test shows a significant improvement of MDADI scores for unilateral vs bilateral reconstructions (p = 0.03). The median FOSS score was 2, and the mode was 2. Seven (35%) patients complained of nasal regurgitation, three (15%) reported episodic laryngeal aspiration.
Topics: Free Tissue Flaps; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Palate, Soft; Quality of Life; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34076726
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-021-06897-0 -
The Journal of Histochemistry and... Mar 2022The soft palate is the only structure that reversibly separates the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Most species can eat and breathe at the same time. Humans...
The soft palate is the only structure that reversibly separates the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Most species can eat and breathe at the same time. Humans cannot do this and malfunction of the soft palate may allow food to enter the lungs and cause fatal aspiration pneumonia. Speech is the most defining characteristic of humans and the soft palate, along with the larynx and tongue, plays the key roles. In addition, palatal muscles are involved in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Considering the significance of the soft palate, its function is insufficiently understood. The objectives of this study were to document morphometric and immunohistochemical characteristics of adult human soft palate muscles, including fiber size, the fiber type, and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition for better understanding muscle functions. In this study, 15 soft palates were obtained from human autopsies. The palatal muscles were separated, cryosectioned, and stained using histological and immunohistochemical techniques. The results showed that there was a fast type II predominance in the musculus uvulae and palatopharyngeus and a slow type I predominance in the levator veli palatine. Approximately equal proportions of type I and type II fibers existed in both the palatoglossus and tensor veli palatine. Soft palate muscles also contained hybrid fibers and some specialized myofibers expressing slow-tonic and embryonic MyHC isoforms. These findings would help better understand muscle functions.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Myosin Heavy Chains; Palatal Muscles; Palate, Soft
PubMed: 34957888
DOI: 10.1369/00221554211066985 -
Head and Neck Pathology Jun 2022GLI1 fusions involving ACTB, MALAT1, PTCH1 and FOXO4 genes have been reported in a subset of malignant mesenchymal tumors with a characteristic nested epithelioid... (Review)
Review
GLI1 fusions involving ACTB, MALAT1, PTCH1 and FOXO4 genes have been reported in a subset of malignant mesenchymal tumors with a characteristic nested epithelioid morphology and frequent S100 positivity. Typically, these multilobulated tumors consist of uniform epithelioid cells with bland nuclei and are organized into distinct nests and cords with conspicuously rich vasculature. We herein expand earlier findings by reporting a case of a 34-year-old female with an epithelioid mesenchymal tumor of the palate. The neoplastic cells stained positive for S100 protein and D2-40, whereas multiple other markers were negative. Genetic alterations were investigated by targeted RNA sequencing, and a PTCH1-GLI1 fusion was detected. Epithelioid mesenchymal tumors harboring a PTCH1-GLI1 fusion are vanishingly rare with only three cases reported so far. Due to the unique location in the mucosa of the soft palate adjacent to minor salivary glands, multilobulated growth, nested epithelioid morphology, focal clearing of the cytoplasm, and immunopositivity for S100 protein and D2-40, the differential diagnoses include primary salivary gland epithelial tumors, in particular myoepithelioma and myoepithelial carcinoma. Another differential diagnostic possibility is the ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor. Useful diagnostic clues for tumors with a GLI1 rearrangement include a rich vascular network between the nests of neoplastic cells, tumor tissue bulging into vascular spaces, and absence of SOX10, GFAP and cytokeratin immunopositivity. Identifying areas with features of GLI1-rearranged tumors should trigger subsequent molecular confirmation. This is important for appropriate treatment measures as PTCH1-GLI1 positive mesenchymal epithelioid neoplasms have a propensity for locoregional lymph node and distant lung metastases.
Topics: Adult; Biomarkers, Tumor; Female; Humans; Myoepithelioma; Palate, Soft; S100 Proteins; Salivary Gland Neoplasms; Soft Tissue Neoplasms; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
PubMed: 34655412
DOI: 10.1007/s12105-021-01388-4 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Jun 2016Surgical techniques to obtain adequate soft palate repair in cleft palate patients elaborate on the muscle repair; however, there is little available information... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Surgical techniques to obtain adequate soft palate repair in cleft palate patients elaborate on the muscle repair; however, there is little available information regarding the innervation of muscles. Improved insights into the innervation of the musculature will likely allow improvements in the repair of the cleft palate and subsequently decrease the incidence of velopharyngeal insufficiency. We performed a literature review focusing on recent advances in the understanding of soft palate muscle innervation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The Medline and Embase databases were searched for anatomical studies concerning the innervation of the soft palate.
RESULTS
Our literature review highlights the lack of accurate information about the innervation of the levator veli palatini and palatopharyngeus muscles. It is probable that the lesser palatine nerve and the pharyngeal plexus dually innervate the levator veli palatini and palatopharyngeus muscles. Nerves of the superior-extravelar part of the levator veli palatini and palatopharyngeus muscles enter the muscle form the lateral side. Subsequently, the lesser palatine nerve enters from the lateral side of the inferior-velar part of the levator veli palatini muscle. This knowledge could aid surgeons during reconstruction of the cleft musculature. The innervation of the tensor veli palatini muscle by a small branch of the mandibular nerve was confirmed in all studies.
CONCLUSION
Both the levator veli palatini and palatopharyngeus muscles receive motor fibres from the accessory nerve (through the vagus nerve and the glossopharyngeal nerve) and also the lesser palatine nerve. A small branch of the mandibular nerve innervates the tensor veli palatini muscle.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Knowledge about these nerves could aid the cleft surgeon to perform a more careful dissection of the lateral side of the musculature.
Topics: Cleft Palate; Humans; Palatal Muscles; Palate, Soft
PubMed: 27020913
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-016-1791-6 -
Biomolecules Oct 2021This study aimed to analyze the effects of fibrin constructs enhanced with laminin-nidogen, implanted in the wounded rat soft palate. Fibrin constructs with and without...
This study aimed to analyze the effects of fibrin constructs enhanced with laminin-nidogen, implanted in the wounded rat soft palate. Fibrin constructs with and without laminin-nidogen were implanted in 1 mm excisional wounds in the soft palate of 9-week-old rats and compared with the wounded soft palate without implantation. Collagen deposition and myofiber formation were analyzed at days 3, 7, 28 and 56 after wounding by histochemistry. In addition, immune staining was performed for a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), myosin heavy chain (MyHC) and paired homeobox protein 7 (Pax7). At day 56, collagen areas were smaller in both implant groups (31.25 ± 7.73% fibrin only and 21.11 ± 6.06% fibrin with laminin-nidogen)) compared to the empty wounds (38.25 ± 8.89%, < 0.05). Moreover, the collagen area in the fibrin with laminin-nidogen group was smaller than in the fibrin only group ( ˂ 0.05). The areas of myofiber formation in the fibrin only group (31.77 ± 10.81%) and fibrin with laminin-nidogen group (43.13 ± 10.39%) were larger than in the empty wounds (28.10 ± 11.68%, ˂ 0.05). Fibrin-based constructs with laminin-nidogen reduce fibrosis and improve muscle regeneration in the wounded soft palate. This is a promising strategy to enhance cleft soft palate repair and other severe muscle injuries.
Topics: Actins; Animals; Collagen; Fibrin; Fibrosis; Humans; Laminin; Membrane Glycoproteins; Muscle, Skeletal; Myofibrils; Myosin Heavy Chains; Paired Box Transcription Factors; Palate, Soft; Rats; Regeneration; Wound Healing
PubMed: 34680180
DOI: 10.3390/biom11101547 -
The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal :... Jun 2022To determine the efficacy and resource utilization of through-and-through dissection of the soft palate for pharyngeal flap inset for velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI)...
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and resource utilization of through-and-through dissection of the soft palate for pharyngeal flap inset for velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) of any indication.
DESIGN
Retrospective review.
SETTING
Tertiary care center.
PATIENTS
Thirty patients were included. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of severe VPI based on perceptual speech assessment, confirmed by nasoendoscopy or videofluoroscopy; VPI managed surgically with modified pharyngeal flap with through-and-through dissection of the soft palate; and minimum 6 months follow-up. Patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome were excluded.
INTERVENTION
Modified pharyngeal flap with through-and-through dissection of the soft palate.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Velopharyngeal competence and speech assessed using the Speech-Language Pathologist 3 scale.
RESULTS
The median preoperative speech score was 11 of 13 (range, 7 to 13), which improved significantly to a median postoperative score of 1 of 13 (range 0-7; < .001). Velopharyngeal competence was restored in 25 (83%) patients, borderline competence in 3 (10%), and VPI persisted in 2 (7%) patients. Complications included 1 palatal fistula that required elective revision and 1 mild obstructive sleep apnea that did not require flap takedown. Median skin-to-skin operative time was 73.5 minutes, and median length of stay (LOS) was 50.3 hours.
CONCLUSIONS
This technique allows direct visualization of flap placement and largely restores velopharyngeal competence irrespective of VPI etiology, with low complication rates. Short operative time and LOS extend the value proposition, making this technique not only efficacious but also a resource-efficient option for surgical management of severe VPI.
Topics: Cleft Palate; Humans; Palate, Soft; Pharynx; Retrospective Studies; Surgical Flaps; Treatment Outcome; Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
PubMed: 34137284
DOI: 10.1177/10556656211021738 -
Tissue Engineering. Part B, Reviews Dec 2012Children with a cleft in the soft palate have difficulties with speech, swallowing, and sucking. These patients are unable to separate the nasal from the oral cavity... (Review)
Review
Children with a cleft in the soft palate have difficulties with speech, swallowing, and sucking. These patients are unable to separate the nasal from the oral cavity leading to air loss during speech. Although surgical repair ameliorates soft palate function by joining the clefted muscles of the soft palate, optimal function is often not achieved. The regeneration of muscles in the soft palate after surgery is hampered because of (1) their low intrinsic regenerative capacity, (2) the muscle properties related to clefting, and (3) the development of fibrosis. Adjuvant strategies based on tissue engineering may improve the outcome after surgery by approaching these specific issues. Therefore, this review will discuss myogenesis in the noncleft and cleft palate, the characteristics of soft palate muscles, and the process of muscle regeneration. Finally, novel therapeutic strategies based on tissue engineering to improve soft palate function after surgical repair are presented.
Topics: Animals; Cleft Palate; Humans; Palatal Muscles; Palate, Soft; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Regeneration
PubMed: 22697475
DOI: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2012.0049