| secondary palate | The posterior portion of the embryonic palate, which forms from the palatal processes of the embryonic maxilla and develops into the hard palate. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| soft palate | The muscular part of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is directly behind the hard palate. It lacks bone and so is soft. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tensor muscle of soft palate | <anatomy> Tensor muscle of soft palate, musculus tensor palati; musculus palatosalpingeus; musculus sphenosalpingostaphylinus; dilator tubae; origin, scaphoid fossa of sphenoid, cartilaginous and membranous part of auditory (eustachian) tube and spine of sphenoid; insertion, posterior border of hard palate and aponeurosis of soft palate; action, tenses the soft palate; contributes to opening of auditory tube; nerve supply, branches of trigeminal nerve through the otic ganglion. Synonym: musculus tensor veli palatini, dilator tubae, musculus palatosalpingeus, musculus sphenosalpingostaphylinus, musculus tensor palati, palatosalpingeus, tensor muscle of soft palate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| elevator muscle of soft palate | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, apex of petrous portion of temporal bone and lower part of cartilaginous auditory (eustachian) tube; insertion, aponeurosis of soft palate; action, raises soft palate; through the expansion of its fleshy belly during contraction, it helps to "push" open the auditory tube; nerve supply, pharyngeal plexus (cranial root of accessory nerve). Synonym: musculus levator veli palatini, elevator muscle of soft palate, levator palati muscle, musculus levator palati, musculus petrostaphylinus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| falling palate | Relaxation or elongation of the uvula. Synonym: falling palate, staphylodialysis, staphyloptosis, uvulaptosis. Origin: uvulo-+ G. Ptosis, a falling (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominocardiac reflex | Mechanical stimulation (usually distention) of abdominal viscera causing changes (usually a slowing) in the heart rate or the occurrence of extrasystoles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Abrams' heart reflex | A contraction of the myocardium when the skin of the precordial region is irritated. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accommodation reflex | Increased convexity of the lens, due to contraction of the ciliary muscle and relaxation of the suspensory ligament, to maintain a distinct retinal image. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Achilles reflex | A contraction of the calf muscles when the tendo calcaneus is sharply struck. Synonym: ankle jerk, ankle reflex, tendo Achillis reflex, triceps surae reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acousticopalpebral reflex | A form of the wink reflex in which there is a contraction, sometimes very slight, of the orbicularis palpebrarum muscle when a sudden noise is made close to the ear; it is absent in labyrinthine disease with total deafness. Synonym: acousticopalpebral reflex, auropalpebral reflex, cochleo-orbicular reflex, startle reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acquired reflex | A reflex that is gradually developed by training and association through the frequent repetition of a definite stimulus. See: conditioning. Synonym: acquired reflex, behaviour reflex, trained reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acromial reflex | Contraction of the biceps muscle caused by a tap on the acromion or the coracoid process. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute reflex bone atrophy | Atrophy of bones, commonly of the carpal or tarsal bones, following a slight injury such as a sprain. See: causalgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Synonym: acute reflex bone atrophy, posttraumatic osteoporosis, Sudeck's syndrome. Origin: L. English sweat (05 Mar 2000) |
| adductor reflex | Contraction of the adductors of the thigh caused by tapping the tendon of the adductor magnus muscle while the thigh is abducted. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anal reflex | Contraction of the internal sphincter gripping the finger passed into the rectum. (05 Mar 2000) |