THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION

The muscles of the soft palate are five on each side: the Levator palati, Tensor palati, Azygos uvulm, Palato-glossus, and Palato-pharyngeus . The following is the relative position of these structures in a dissection of the soft palate from the posterior or nasal to the anterior 01' oral surface: Immediately beneath the nasal mucous membrane is a thin stratum of muscular fibres, the posterior fasciculus of the Palato-pharyngeus muscle, joining with its fellow of the opposite side in the middle line. Beneath this is the Azygos uvulm, consist­ing of two rounded fleshy fasciculi, placed side by side in the median line of the soft palate. Next comes the aponeurosis of the Levator palati, joining with the muscle of the opposite side in the middle line. Fourthly, the anterior fasciculus of the Palato-pharyngells, thicker than the posterior, and separating the Levator palati from the next muscle, the Tensor palati. This muscle terminates in a tendon which, after winding round the hamular process, expands into a broad aponeurosis in the soft palate, anterior to the other muscles which have been enumerated. Finally, we have a thin muscular stratum, the Palato-glossus muscle, placed in front of the aponeurosis of the Tensor palati, and separated from the oral mucous membrane by adenoid tissue. The Tonsils (amygdalce) are two prominent bodies situated one on each side of the fauces, between the anterior and posterior pillars of the soft palate. They are of a rounded form, and vary considerably in size in different individuals. A recess, the fossa supra-tonsillaris, may be seen, directed upward and backward above the tonsil. His regards this as the remains of the lower part of the second visceral cleft. It is covered by a fold of mucous membrane termed the plica triangularis. Externally the tonsil is in relation with the inner surface of the Superior constrictor, to the outer side of which is the Internal pterygoid muscle. The internal carotid artery lies behind and to the outer side of the tonsil, and nearly an inch  distant from it. It corresponds to the angle of the lower jaw. Its inner surface presents from twelve to fifteen orifices, leading into small recesses, from which numerous follicles branch out into the substance of the gland. These follicles are lined by a continuation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, covered with epithelium; around each follicle is a layer of closed cap­sules imbedded in the submucous tissue. These capsules are analogous to those of Peyer's glands, consisting of adenoid tissue. No openings from the capsules into the follicles can be recognized. They contain a thick grayish secretion. Sur­rounding each follicle is a close plexus of lymphatic vessels. From these plexuses the lymphatic vessels pass to the deep cervical giands in the upper part of the neck, which frequently become enlarged in affections of these organs.