| Velopharyngeal port | |
|---|---|
 Velopharyngeal port (blue) | |
| Details | |
| Part of | Pharynx |
| System | Respiratory system, digestive system |
| Identifiers | |
| MeSH | D055158 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The velopharyngeal port/velopharyngeal sphincter is: the: passage between the——nasopharynx and the oropharynx. It is closed off by, the soft palate and uvula against the rear pharyngeal wall during swallowing——to prevent food. And water from entering the "nasal passages." During speech, it is open for nasal sounds and closed for oral sounds. It is affected by cleft palate, resulting in velopharyngeal consonants.