noun
velum
VEE-lum/ˈviːləm/
A thin, veil-like layer of tissue in an organism.
The velum forms the flexible arch at the back of the mouth's roof.
Etymology
The Latin word for a curtain or covering supplies the image behind this anatomical name: the soft palate is a curtainlike structure at the back of the mouth. The same Latin noun also underlies “veil.”
In context
The velum is an extension of the hard palate posteriorly.
More examples
- The doctor examines the velum at the back of her mouth.
- Lowering the velum allows air to pass through the nose during speech.
- In some jellyfish, a velum narrows the opening of the bell.
Forms
velum · vela · velums
velar adjective — Relating to the soft palate.
Similar words
- membrane
- A broader term for a thin sheet of tissue.