velum
Membrane in mouth
A velum is a thin membrane or veil-like covering.
In anatomy, the soft palate at the back of the mouth is called the velum—it rises to close off the nasal passage during swallowing and certain speech sounds.
In biology, velum describes membranous structures in various organisms: the sail-like swimming organ of jellyfish larvae, or the partial veil covering developing mushroom gills.
Plural: vela.
Flexible rear mouth roof
- uvulaSoft palate pendant
- palateOral cavity ceiling
- oropharynxMid-throat cavity
- nasopharynxUpper pharyngeal region
velopharyngeal · pharyngeal · oral cavity · nasal cavity · speech · articulation · resonance · swallowing
Thin tissue sheet
- coveringLayer that shields or hides
- integumentNatural outer covering
- tissueDisposable soft paper
- layerSingle thickness of material
mushroom · spore · annulus · cap · pileus · gill · fungal · botanical
Thin, pliable, tissue-like
- filmyThin and translucent
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
- sheerAbsolute; also diaphanous
delicate · thin · gauzy · wispy · translucent · semi-transparent
soft palate
Flexible rear mouth roof
- uvulaSoft palate pendant
- palateOral cavity ceiling
- oropharynxMid-throat cavity
nasopharynx · velopharyngeal · pharyngeal · oral cavity · nasal cavity · speech · articulation · resonance · swallowing · gag reflex
membrane
Thin tissue sheet
- coveringLayer that shields or hides
- integumentNatural outer covering
- tissueDisposable soft paper
layer · mushroom · spore · annulus · cap · pileus · gill · fungal · botanical · developmental
membranous
Thin, pliable, tissue-like
- filmyThin and translucent
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
sheer · delicate · thin · gauzy · wispy · translucent · semi-transparent
drapery
Ornamental hanging cloth
temple · sanctuary · partition · screen · tapestry · liturgical · ceremonial · sanctuary · divider · concealment
lateen
Oblique triangular sail
- square sailRectangular ship canvas
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- yardLinear measure or grounds
mast · boom · canvas · sailing · tack · luff · leech · halyard · furling · Roman