The hard palate refers to the bony structure that forms the front portion of the roof of the mouth in humans. It is composed of the maxilla and palatine bones. The hard palate separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity and plays a crucial role in speech production and swallowing. It provides a firm surface against which the tongue and other oral structures can press during speech sounds. The hard palate also helps to direct food and liquids towards the throat during swallowing.
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