This cross section shows both the oral and the nasal surfaces (HA15 o & n) of the soft palate, which can be distinguished by their different epithelia. The nasal surface is covered with a respiratory epithelium and the oral surface is covered with a stratified squamous mucosal epithelium. The skeletal muscle (m) of the levator veli palatini forms the central region of the palate. Large mucous glands are lateral to the muscle. The image also shows part of a tonsil (arrow) to the left of the glands.