Which muscle depresses the soft palate, providing an action opposite to velopharyngeal closure?

• A. Levator Veli Palatini
• B. Musculus Uvulae
• C. Stylopharyngeus
• D. Palatoglossus

Answer: (D)

Depressing the soft palate is the action that contrasts with the lift needed for velopharyngeal closure during speech and swallowing. The muscle that does this is palatoglossus, which stretches from the soft palate to the tongue and, when it contracts, pulls the soft palate downward toward the tongue while helping raise the posterior part of the tongue. This specific depressor role distinguishes it from the others: levator veli palatini elevates the soft palate to close the velopharyngeal port; musculus uvulae tenses the uvula; stylopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus mainly influence the pharynx or tongue rather than depressing the velum.