The tensor veli palatini is a thin and triangular palatal muscle that lies lateral to the medial plate of the pterygoid process, auditory tube and levator veli palatini.

Origin: scaphoid fossa of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone and area behind the medial aspect of the spine of the sphenoid bone. Between these two origin sites the fibers of this muscle attach to the anterolateral membranous wall of the auditory tube. Inferiorly, the fibers converge on a tendon that turns medially around the pterygoid hamulus and passes through the attachment of the buccinator.

Insertion: the muscle inserts into the palatine aponeurosis. Some of its fibers attach to the lateral lamina of the cartilage of the auditory tube, as well as to connective tissue lateral to the tubal wall and the Ostmann's fat pad (a thin triagnular-shaped layer of fatty tissue within the auditory tube). These fibers of the tensor veli palatini are sometimes referred to as the dilator tubae.

Action: the muscle stretches and tenses the soft palate, and expands the auditory tube during swallowing. A major function of this muscle is to open the auditory tube (for example, during yawning) via its dilator tubae component, thus aiding in air pressure equalization between the middle ear and the nasopharynx.

Innervation: its motor innervation is provided by the medial pterygoid nerve - a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3).

Blood supply: ascending palatine artery - a branch of the facial artery, and the ascending palatine artery - a branch of the maxillary artery.

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Tensor veli palatini muscle