Intraindividual change in the occurrence of Passavant's ridge due to change in velopharyngeal sphincter function: a videofluoroscopic study.

Passavant's ridge was studied by means of videofluoroscopy and nasopharyngoscopy in 80 patients with hypernasal speech. In patients with Passavant's ridge an improvement of the sphincter function was found to be associated with an enlargement of the ridge. It was also observed that the ridge could disappear if complete velopharyngeal closure was achieved without surgical intervention of the ridge area. The results indicate that Passavant's ridge is of compensatory origin.