1. Palate Palate, roof of the mouth, consisting of two portions. The hard palate in front and the soft palate behind. Palate, roof of the mouth, consisting of two portions. The hard palate in front and the soft palate behind. The uvula, hangs from the lower border of the soft palate. The first well-developed palates are found in the reptiles. Similar to humans palates occurs only in birds and some mammals. In few whales the mucous membrane forms toughened plates known as whalebone. The roof of the oral cavity is formed of : The roof of the oral cavity is formed of : Hard palate. Soft palate.

2. Hard palate : Hard palate : The hard palate is a thin horizontal bony plate of thel, located in the roof of the mouth. l It composes two-third of the total palate area. The hard palate is covered by a moist, durable layer of mucous-membrane tissue, which secrete small amounts of mucous. This layer forms several ridges that help grip food while the tongue agitates it during chewing. The hard palate provides space for the tongue to move freely and supplies a rigid floor to the nasal cavity. In many lower vertebrates, the hard palate bears teeth. It is formed by the palatine process of the maxilla and horizontal plate of the palatine bone. It forms a partition between the nasal passages and the mouth. In many lower vertebrates, the hard palate bears teeth. It is formed by the palatine process of the maxilla and horizontal plate of the palatine bone. It forms a partition between the nasal passages and the mouth. Function of hard palate : Function of hard palate : Separating the mouth and nose. Strengthening the skull and transmitting mechanical forces during chewing. Helping to hold food during transport. Play a great role during suckling period. The posterior third tightens during swallowing to keep food from moving back into the nasal passage.

3. Soft palate : Soft palate : The soft palate ( velum, or muscular palate) is the soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of mouth. The soft palate is distinguished from the hard palate in that it does not contain bone. The soft palate is composed of muscle and connective tissue, which give it both mobility and support. This palate is very flexible. When elevated for swallowing and sucking, it completely blocks and separates the nasal cavity and nasal portion of the pharynx from the mouth and the oral part of the pharynx. Functions : Functions : It is movable and responsible for closing off the nasal passages during the act of swallowing. The soft palate's motion during breathing is responsible for the sound of snoring. Separate the oral cavity (mouth) from the nose, in order to produce the oral speech sounds.