Case of a large bony tumor in the face completely removed by spontaneous separation. To which are added, observations upon some of the functions of the soft palate and pharynx / [John Hilton].

  • Hilton, John, 1804-1878
Date:
[1836?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Case of a large bony tumor in the face completely removed by spontaneous separation. To which are added, observations upon some of the functions of the soft palate and pharynx / [John Hilton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    be kept up for an exceedingly short time, by the thyro¬ arytenoid and arytenoid muscles bringing the inferior chordae vocales into approximation. The integrity of the soft palate, then, is to be considered of importance, in keeping the chest distended with air;— a condition, on certain occasions, highly advantageous, in giving stability to those points to which the origins of some of the muscles of the upper extremity are attached. Sneezing may be described as composed of two effbrts-^- inspiration through the mouth, followed by expiration through the nose. During this act, the whole of the air retrogrades through the upper part of the pharynx and the nose, the palate being adapted to the back of the mouth, and the pharynx tranquil: but if sneezing happens many times in quick succession, so that the palate has scarcely time after its elevation, during the oral inspiration, to descend to the back of the mouth before the air returns from the chest, the palate is then seen violently agitated by the air in its ascending direction, being at that time obliquely placed with respect to the expired air, so that a portion of the air passes through the nose, and a portion through the mouth, giving the coarse tearing sensation to the palate, and flap¬ ping motion of the lips, experienced in the imperfect attempt to sneeze. The sensibility of the left side of the septum nasi continues very good, but impressions made upon it do not induce sneezing. Deglutition.—When the mouth is open to receive the food, the palate is raised, but not so completely as in full oral inspirations : the sides of the pharynx also approximate, but not so closely as on drawing the breath inwards: the post¬ erior part of the pharynx advances but slightly. Directly the food, either solid or fluid, is placed in the mouth, the palate descends, and continues, during the detention of the food, closely adjusted to the back part of the mouth, the pharynx remaining perfectly quiet. These conditions are to be observed during the process of mastication, performed with or without food in the mouth. Extreme lateral move¬ ments of the jaw encroach upon the pharynx but very slightly; and in the ordinary lateral motion, there is no difference