The purpose of this study was to utilize three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to correlate velopharyngeal closure patterns with velopharyngeal anatomical structural characteristics. Thirty-eight participants (18 females and 20 males) between 19 and 32 years of age participated in the study. Participants were evaluated using MRI and nasopharyngoscopy to determine closure pattern type and their relationship to anatomical characteristics believed to influence velopharyngeal closure. Structural anatomical measures were completed in the vertical (nasopharyngeal length) and horizontal (nasopharyngeal width) planes. Anterior to posterior dimensions of pharyngeal depth, posterior pharyngeal wall thickness, velar length, effective velar length, and adenoid thickness were also completed. Velar length and adenoid thickness varied based on closure patterns, with coronal closure pattern demonstrating significantly larger values compared to circular closure pattern. There were no statistically significant differences for effective velar length, pharyngeal depth, nasopharyngeal length, posterior pharyngeal wall thickness, and nasopharyngeal width based on the type of closure pattern. Closure patterns varied by gender, with females demonstrating more circular closure patterns compared to males who demonstrated more coronal closure patterns. Nasopharyngeal length, velar length, and nasopharyngeal width also varied by gender, with males demonstrating significantly larger values compared to females. Statistically significant differences were observed in velopharyngeal anatomical structural measures and gender during evaluations of closure patterns. These preliminary findings indicate the length of the velum and thickness of the adenoids may have the greatest impact on velopharyngeal closure patterns.