The soft palate is a muscular structure located at the back of the mouth. It is composed of three parts: the VELUM (also known as the soft palate), the vela (or palatine arches) and the velu (or palatine tonsils). The VELUM is a thin, fleshy membrane that separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity. The vela are two curved arches of bone that form the roof of the mouth. The velu are two small masses of lymphoid tissue located on either side of the throat. Together, these structures help to regulate airflow and prevent food and liquids from entering the nasal cavity.