A phenomenon in which, when the palate is lifted, the midline deviates to the normal side and the weak side droops. Palate deviation is seen in individuals who have paresis or paralysis of a hemi-palate due to Vagus nerve injury or dysfunction. It can be observed from either the oral cavity or nasopharynx view; subtle cases sometimes seem easier to see from the nasopharynx view.
Palate Deviation Showing Hemi-palate Paralysis
Palate paralysis (1 of 2)
View of the upper surface of the palate from within the nasopharynx. Due to this patient's hemi-palate paralysis, the palate deviates to one side, such that its midline (darker dotted line) no longer matches the nasopharynx's midline (lighter dotted line).
Palate and pharyngeal paralysis (2 of 2)
Panorama of the laryngopharynx. Note the capacious left pyriform sinus (right of photo), one strong indicator of paralysis of the pharynx on that side.
