US Medical Term · anatomy
Palate
Paladar
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Palate |
| Spanish (Español) | Paladar |
| Chinese (中文) | 上顎 |
| Korean (한국어) | 구개 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Vòm miệng |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Palate |
| Portuguese (Português) | Palato |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เพดานปาก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 口蓋 |
What it means
The palate is the roof of your mouth. It is divided into two parts. The hard palate is the rigid front portion — it is formed by bone covered with a thin layer of tissue and separates your mouth from your nasal cavity. The soft palate is the flexible, fleshy part at the back, which includes the uvula (the small dangling tissue you can see at the back of your throat). The soft palate rises to close off the nasal passage when you swallow, preventing food and liquid from going up your nose. Cleft palate is a birth defect where the palate does not close completely during fetal development. The palate also plays an important role in speech and snoring.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My baby was born with a cleft palate and we are meeting with a surgeon next week.
Mi bebé nació con paladar hendido y nos reuniremos con un cirujano la próxima semana.
I have a sore on the roof of my mouth — the doctor called it the hard palate.
Tengo una llaga en el techo de la boca — el doctor la llamó paladar duro.
The surgeon will repair my soft palate to help with my sleep apnea.
El cirujano reparará mi paladar blando para ayudar con mi apnea del sueño.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026