Page 137 - My FlipBook

OliTTK V'lORS AND AKTIFICIAI. \'i:Lr.M. 125

as near as possiljlc. to lU the fissure in the snfi palate, earry
plate and bull) to position in the mouth; note any changes
that need to be made in the shape of the latter; remove and
trim away until the desired shape and adaptation is secured.
The case is then ready to be flasked, packed, and vulcanized.
The plate, as will be seen in Figs. 79 and 80, covers the
entire hard palate, from its boundary, marked h, to the
beginning of the defect, and also serves to support the
thick obturator, (/. The simple plate portion is marked a.
The obturator, or bulbous portion, is so shaped that when
in place in the pharyngopalatine space, the lower part, or
that surface next the mouth, is about on the same level as
Fig. 82.

the rest of the velum palati. This will be noted at d and c
in Fig. 80. The thickness of the obturator begins where
the fissure of the soft palate begins, and it wall be noted that
the fissure velum palati, l\ is in constant contact with the
sides of the obturator. The fissured uvula is indicated at K.
\M'ien the walls of the pharynx are contracted by the
action of the superior constrictor of the pharynx they are
brought in contact with the obturator so as to temporarily
close the space. But when these muscles are not in activity
the obturator does not touch the pharyngeal w^all.