Final answer:
The muscles of the soft palate and pharynx consist of the Levator veli palatini, Tensor veli palatini, Palatopharyngeus, and Palatoglossus. These muscles work in concert for swallowing and speech, while also coordinating with the extrinsic muscles of the tongue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The muscles of the soft palate and pharynx play a crucial role in the functions of swallowing and speech. The major muscles include:
- Levator veli palatini: Elevates the soft palate.
- Tensor veli palatini: Tenses the soft palate and opens the auditory tube during swallowing and yawning.
- Palatopharyngeus: Narrows the pharynx and aids in swallowing.
- Palatoglossus: Elevates the posterior part of the tongue and closes off the oropharyngeal isthmus.
These muscles work together with other structures like the palatopharyngeal arch and the uvula to facilitate the movement of food from the mouth to the esophagus and to prevent it from entering the nasal cavity. Additionally, the palatoglossus muscle is one of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue that includes the hyoglossus, styloglossus, and genioglossus muscles, which all contribute to positioning and movement of the tongue.