• This is the posterior curtain-like part, and has no bony support. It does, however, contain a membranous aponeurosis.
• The soft palate, or velum palatinum (L. velum, veil), is a movable, fibromuscular fold that is attached to the posterior edge of the hard palate.
• It extends posteroinferiorly to a curved free margin from which hangs a conical process, the uvula (L. uva, grape).

• The soft palate separates the nasopharynx superiorly and the oropharynx inferiorly.

• During swallowing the soft palate moves posteriorly against the wall of the pharynx, preventing the regurgitation of food into the nasal cavity.

• Laterally, the soft palate is continuous with the wall of the pharynx and is joined to the tongue and pharynx by the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal folds.

• The soft palate is strengthened by the palatine aponeurosis, formed by the expanded tendon of the tensor veli palatini muscle.
• This aponeurosis attaches to the posterior margin of the hard palate.

The Oral Cavity

• The oral cavity (mouth) consists of two parts: the vestibule and the mouth proper.

• The vestibule is the slit-like spaced between the cheeks and the lips and the teeth and gingivae.
• It is the entrance of the digestive tract and is also used for breathing.
• The vestibule communicates with the exterior through the orifice of the mouth.

• The oral cavity is bounded:
• Externally: by the cheeks and lips.
• Roof of oral cavity: formed by the palate.
• Posteriorly: the oral cavity communicates with the oropharynx.

The Middle Ear

• This part of the ear is in a narrow cavity in the petrous part of the temporal bone.
• It contains air, three auditory ossicles, a nerve and two small muscles.
• The middle ear is separated from the external acoustic meatus by the tympanic membrane.

• This cavity includes the tympanic cavity proper, the space directly internal to the tympanic membrane, and the epitympanic recess, the space superior to it.

• The middle ear is connected anteriorly with the nasopharynx by the auditory tube.
• Posterosuperiorly, the tympanic cavity connects with the mastoid cells through the aditus ad antrum (mastoid antrum).
• The tympanic cavity is lined with mucous membrane that is continuous with the mucous membrane of the auditory tube, mastoid cells, and aditus ad antrum.

Contents of the Tympanic Cavity or Middle Ear

• This cavity contains the auditory ossicles (malleus, incus and stapes); the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles; the chorda tympani nerve (a branch of the facial nerve, CN VII); and the tympanic plexus of nerves.

The Parotid Glands

• The parotid glands are the largest of the three pairs of salivary glands.
• Each gland is wedged between the mandible and the sternocleidomastoid muscle and partly covers them.

• The parotid gland is wrapped with a fibrous capsule (parotid fascia) that is continuous with the deep investing fascia of the neck.

• Viewed superficially, the parotid gland is somewhat triangular in shape.
• Its apex is posterior to the angle of the mandible and its base is along the zygomatic arch.
• The parotid gland overlaps the posterior part of the masseter muscle.

• The parotid duct (Stensen's duct) is about 5 cm long and 5 mm in diameter.
• It passes horizontally from the anterior edge of the gland.
• At the anterior border of the masseter muscle, the parotid duct turns medially and pierces the buccinator muscle.
• It enters the oral cavity opposite the second maxillary molar.

Blood Vessels of the Parotid Gland

• This gland is supplied by branches of the external carotid artery.
• The veins from the parotid gland drains into the retromandibular vein, which enters the internal jugular vein.

Lymphatic Drainage of the Parotid Gland

• The lymph vessels of this gland end in the superficial and deep cervical lymph nodes.

Nerves of the Parotid Gland

• These nerves are derived from the auriculotemporal nerve and from the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

• The parasympathetic fibres are derived from the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) through the otic ganglion.
• Stimulation of these fibres produces a thin watery (serous) saliva to flow from the parotid duct.

• The sympathetic fibres are derived from the cervical ganglia through the external carotid plexus.
• Stimulation of these fibres produces a thick mucous saliva.

Hip

Constitutes the pelvic girdle
United with the vertebral column
Union of three parts that is marked by a cup shaped cavity (acetabulum) Ilium
•    Prominence of the hip
•    Superior border is the crest
•    Anterosuperior spine-projection at the anterior tip of the crest
•    Corresponding projections on the posterior part are the posterosuperior and posteroinferior iliac spines
•    Greater sciatic notch-located beneath the posterior part
•    Most is a smooth concavity (iliac fossa)
•    Posteriorly it is rough and articulates with the sacrum in the formation of the sacroiliac joint

Pubic bone

Anterior part of the innominate bone
Symphysis pubic-joining of the two pubic bones at the midline
Body and two rami 
•    Body forms one fifth of the acetabulum
•    Superior ramis extends from the body to the median plane: superior border forms the pubic crest
•    Inferior ramus extends downward and meets with the ischium
•    Pubic arch is formed by the inferior rami of both pubic hones

Ischium
    Forms the lower and back part of the innominate bone
    Body
•    Forms two fifths of the accrabulum
•    Ischial tuberosiry-supports the body in a sitting position
•    Ramus-passes upward to join the inferior ramus of rhe pubis; known as rhe obturator foramen

Pelvis

Fanned by the right and left hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx

Greater pelvis

o    Bounded by the ilia and lower lumbar vertebrae
o    Gives support to the abdominal viscera

Lesser pelvis

o    Brim of the pelvis corresponds to the sacral promontory
o    Inferior outlet is bounded by the tip of the coccyx, ischial tuberosities, and inferior rami of the pubic bones

Female pelvis

o    Shows adaptations related to functions as a birth canal Wide outlet
o    Angle of the pubic arch is obtuse

Male pelvis

o    Shows adaptations that contribute to power and speed
o    Heart-shaped outlet
o    Angle of the pubic arch is acute

Thigh

Femur-longest and strongest bone of the body
Proximal end has a rounded head that articulates with the acetabulum
Constricted portion-the neck
Greater and lesser trochanters
Slightly arched shaft; is concave posteriorly
o    Linea aspera-strengthened by this prominent ridge
o    Site of attachment for several muscles
Distal end has two condyles separated on the posterior side by the intercondyloid notch

Knee cap

Patella-sesamoid bone
Embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle
Articulates with the femur

Leg

Tibia-medial bone
o    Proximal end has two condyles that articulate with the femur
o    Triangular shaft

    Anterior-shin
    Posterior-soleal line
    Distal-medial malleolus that articulates with the latus to form the ankle joint
Fibula-lateral bone
o    Articulates with the lateral condyle of the tibia but does not enter the knee joint
o    Distal end projects as the lateral malleolus

Ankle, foot, and toes

Adapted for supporting weight but similar in structure to the hand

Talus

o    Occupies the uppennost and central position in the tarsus
o    Distributes the body weight from the tibia above to the other tarsal bones
Calcaneus (heel)-Iocated beneath the talus
Navicular-located in front of the talus on the medial side; articulates with three cuneifonn bones distally
Cuboid-lies along the lateral border of the navicular bone

Metatarsals
o    First, second, and third p1etatarsals lie in front of the three cuneifonn bones
o    (2) Fourth and fifth metatarsals lie in front of the cuboid bone

Phalanges

o    Distal to the metatarsals
o    (2) Two in the great toe; three in each of the other four toes .

Longitudinal arches in the foot (2)

o    Lateral-fonned by the calcaneus, talus, cuboid, and fourth and fifth metatarsal bones
o    Medial-fonned by the calcaneus, talus, navicular, cuneifonn, and first, second, and third metatarsal bones

Transverse arches-formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones

-> This is a wedge-shaped bone (G. sphen, wedge) is located anteriorly to the temporal bones.
-> It is a key bone in the cranium because it articulates with eight bones (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, vomer, zygomatic, palatine, and ethmoid).
-> It main parts are the body and the greater and lesser wings, which spread laterally from the body.
-> The superior surface of its body is shaped like a Turkish saddle (L. sella, a saddle); hence its name sella turcica.
-> It forms the hypophyseal fossa which contains the hypophysis cerebri or pituitary gland.
-> The sella turcica is bounded posteriorly by the dorsum sellae, a square plate of bone that projects superiorly and has a posterior clinoid process on each side.
-> Inside the body of the sphenoid bone, there are right and left sphenoid sinuses. The floor of the sella turcica forms the roof of these paranasal sinuses.
-> Studies of the sella turcica and hypophyseal fossa in radiographs or by other imaging techniques are important because they may reflect pathological changes such as a pituitary tumour or an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. Decalcification of the dorsum sellae is one of the signs of a generalised increase in intracranial pressure.