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Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the thickness of the soft palate at specific locations in normocephalic dogs using sonography and computed tomography (CT), and to subsequently compare the two different methods., Material and Methods: A total of 15 normocephalic dogs were examined under general anesthesia. The CT was performed while patients were in a sternal recumbent position, their mouth held open by placing their upper jaw on a positioning device. Dorsal recumbency together with submental and midsagittal positioning of the transducer were chosen for sonography. Measurements were made in both sonographic and reconstructed sagittal CT images. Two measuring points (MP) were defined for measuring the cranial and the middle part of the soft palate (MP1: 1 cm caudal to the transition from the hard to the soft palate; MP2: at the origin of the dorsal pharyngeal muscles). It was investigated whether repeated procedures with one measuring method provided consistent values and, furthermore, whether the two different measuring methods (sonography and CT) provided comparable data., Results: The data acquired by repeat measurements within one method corresponded very well. However, the data provided by the two different measurement methods showed varying results for the first measuring point and was even greater for the second measuring point. Sonography overestimated the measurements obtained by CT by up to 0.26 cm for MP1 and up to 0.79 cm for MP2., Conclusion: Due to the significant discrepancies in their results, the two measurement methods are not interchangeable. Sonography showed good reliability for repeat measurements. Consequently, the variable values between CT and sonography appeared to result from differing examination conditions. Sonography may be a rapid and non-invasive diagnostic tool to measure soft palate thickness if the applied method proves to be applicable in clinical practice.

The anatomical basis for the application of neurovascular pedicled muscle transfers of the digastric and stylohyoid muscles in the treatment of velopharynx incompetence is described. The fact that the neurovascular pedicle is located in the cranial third of the muscle bellies provides the safety of the operative procedure. The muscles have to be dissected with respect to that. The direction in which the transferred muscles pull is described. The muscle transposition is combined with the classic Wardill-Kilner operation to lengthen the soft palate. The transferred muscles have to avoid scar contraction and shortening of the soft palate and to gain a muscular function of the soft palate. The clinical use is justified in rare cases as demonstrated in one case.

Estimated are the distances between the nasolacrimal duct and the Canalis palatinus major on the side-wall of the nose cavity. Included are measurements of distances of the Ostium pharyngeum tubae auditivae to the Canalis palatinus major and the upper surface of the Palatum molle.

The soft palate and the tongue of adult Bombina variegata L. were studied by means of light and scanning electron microscopy. In the palate numerous taste-disks were found prominent by their polygonal surface structures. These are caused by longer microvilli at the margins of the different cells of the taste-disk or by deepened margins of the polygonal cells. The surfaces of the cells are slightly convex and are covered by numerous microvilli. In the tongue primarily fungiform papillae were observed (with the exception of the margins were taste-disks similar to those found in the palate were present). Their taste-disks also present polygonal structures, their epithelial cells are characterized by microridges while those of the epithelial folds surrounding the fungiform papillae own microvilli. As special formations within the taste-disks small knob-like protrusions between polygonal cells were found.