title: [Sonographic examination of the soft palate in dogs].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to characterize the normal sonographic anatomy of the soft palate in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed on seven canine heads via a submental and intraoral approach. The detected anatomical structures were then reexamined via a submental approach in a water bath. Each anatomic layer was subsequently dissected starting with the submental layers and working towards the soft palate. After every preparation a sonographic examination was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differentiation between the soft palate and the surrounding oropharyngeal tissue can be effectively achieved. Using the submental approach, the transition between hard palate and soft palate as well as the middle section of the soft palate were distinguished from other oropharyngeal structures in all cases. Visualization of the caudal part of the velum and evaluation of the echogenicity of the soft palate were difficult and not always possible. In the two brachycephalic dogs of the study, it was challenging to distinguish the soft palate from the surrounding tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sonographic appearance of the canine soft palate in cadavers was described in this study. The submental approach allows differentiation between intraoral structures. Evaluation of the echogenicity and length of the soft palate is limited.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Kleintiere, Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig. koehler@kleintierklinik.unileipzig.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alef
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Niesterok
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oechtering
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kiefer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity