[Influence of the soft palate on tongue statics and mandibular growth. Therapeutic conclusions]

The soft palate has a major influence on mandibulo-lingual statics. Thus in the case of congenital cleft palate, there is in general glossoptosis with mandibular retrognathia. Conversely, palatal shortening may be associated with functional mandibular prognathia which it is possible to correct by urano-staphylo-pharyn-goplasty, if carried out sufficiently early. In many cases of mandibular prognathia the soft palate has a special shape and orientation. The problem is to know whether this appearance is secondary to the dysmorphosis or partially responsible for it.