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. 2022 Nov 17;65(11):4151-4158.
doi: 10.1044/2022_JSLHR-22-00303. Epub 2022 Oct 25.

An Exploratory Investigation of the Palatoglossus Muscle in Children Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Samantha Power  1 , Katelyn J Kotlarek  1
Affiliations

An Exploratory Investigation of the Palatoglossus Muscle in Children Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Samantha Power et al. J Speech Lang Hear Res. .

Abstract

Purpose: There is currently little evidence reporting the typical morphology of the palatoglossus (PG) muscle. The primary purpose of this exploratory study is to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods used to quantify the morphology of the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle can be applied to the PG. The secondary purpose is to provide preliminary data regarding the relationship between the LVP and PG muscles in children.

Method: Ten children between ages of 4 and 7 years participated in this study. Each participant was scanned using a nonsedated, child-friendly protocol with a T2-weighted, three-dimensional anatomical scan to obtain images of the oropharyngeal anatomy. Custom, oblique-coronal image planes were created to visualize and measure the LVP and PG muscles in their entirety from origin to insertion. Thermo Scientific Amira Software was used to obtain 2D measurements of PG muscle length, width, velar insertion distance, lingual insertion distance, and several angle measurements.

Results: The PG ranged from 17.95 to 26.96 mm in length across participants. Velar insertion distance ranged from 17.22 to 30.95 mm. Lingual insertion distance ranged from 26.91 to 36.02 mm. Width ranged from 2.32 to 3.08 mm. The angle formed by the PG and LVP muscle planes ranged from 7.3° to 52.7°. The LVP insertion angle ranged from 42.5° to 75.9°. The PG insertion angle ranged from 16.9° to 52.3°.

Conclusions: MRI was successful in visualizing the PG muscle. The PG was consistent in size and shape within an individual participant but varied across the participant cohort.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The midsagittal image (left) showing the palatoglossus (PG) angle (red), the levator veli palatini (LVP) angle (green), and PG–LVP angle (blue). An oblique coronal image (right), showing PG length, PG width, velar insertion distance, and lingual insertion distance.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
An oblique coronal image coursing through the belly of the palatoglossus muscle for all participants. M = male; F = female; y = years.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The midsagittal image is shown for two participants with variations in the orientation of the palatoglossus (PG) muscle. The palatoglossus (PG) muscle plane is in red. The levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle plane is in green. Variations in the PG–LVP angle, primarily due to PG orientation, are visually apparent.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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