Levator palati and palatal dimples: their anatomy, relationship and clinical significance

To achieve the best results in cleft palate repair it is necessary to be aware of the normal anatomy. In a series of cadaver dissections, the levator palati muscle was found to occupy the intermediate 40% of the length of the soft palate. This normal distribution should be the aim at cleft palate repair. Observation of the oral surface of the palate during production of the sound "Ah" reveals palatal dimpling. This has been observed in many normal and cleft palate subjects. The dimpling has been reproduced in cadavers by levator palati traction and been found on dissection and serial histological section to correspond to the levator insertion.