Palatal (adjective)

Relating to the roof of the mouth, specifically the hard palate or the soft palate.

Origin:

Derived from the latin word "palatum" meaning "roof of the mouth", the word "palatal" came into use in the 17th century.

Examples:

1. Palatal consonants are produced by the contact of the blade of the tongue against the hard palate.
2. Palatalization is a sound change in which a consonant is pronounced with the body or blade of the tongue raised towards the hard palate.
3. Palatal tumors can cause difficulty swallowing and speaking.
4. Palatal expansion is a treatment used to correct malocclusion by widening the jaw.
5. Palatal implants are a type of dental implant that are anchored in the roof of the mouth.