in anatomy, the flesh that composes the roof, or the upper and inner part, of the mouth. The palate has much the same structure with the gums; but it has also a great number of glands, discovered so early as the time of Fallopius; these are principally situated in the hinder part near the uvula, where it is pendulous, in the manner of a curtain, which part is called the velum, or clavulum, of the palate. The glands situated particularly in this part, secrete a mucous fluid, serving to lubricate the mouth and throat, and to facilitate deglutition: they have a great number of apertures there for the discharge of this humour into the mouth.

The great uses of this membrane are to defend the bones of the palate from corrupting; and for preventing, by its clavulum or velum, the things to be swallowed from getting up into the nostrils.