Radiology of the adult soft palate

Radiographic examination of the adult soft palate has been largely ignored, perhaps because the soft palate is easily inspected on its inferior surface and visualized on its superior surface with a flexible nasopharyngoscope. The major radiologic effort to date has been in the evaluation of cleft palate. A variety of adult neurologic, inflammatory, and neoplastic disorders of the soft palate, however, can benefit from radiologic examination. This article describes useful radiologic techniques, reviews the anatomy of the soft palate, and presents illustrative pathologic states.