Muscles of the Pharynx

Muscles of the Pharynx

Circular muscles

Muscle - Superior constrictor
Origin - Medial pterygoid plate; pterygoid hamulus; pterygomandibular raphe; mylohyoid line of mandible; side of tongue
Insertion - Median raphe and pharyngeal tubercle of skull
Nerve - Vagus n. via pharyngeal plexus
Action - Constricts upper pharynx

Muscle - Middle constrictor
Origin - Greater and lesser horns of hyoid; stylohyoid ligament
Insertion - Median raphe
Nerve - Vagus n. via pharyngeal plexus
Action - Constricts lower pharynx

Muscle - Inferior constrictor
Origin - Arch of cricoid and oblique line of thyroid cartilages
Insertion - Median raphe of pharynx
Nerve - Vagus n. via pharyngeal plexus, recurrent and external l
Action - Constricts lower pharynx

Longitudinal muscles

Muscle - Stylopharyngeus
Origin - Styloid process
Insertion - Thyroid cartilage and muscles of pharynx
Nerve - Glossopharyngeal n.
Action - Elevates pharynx and larynx

Muscle - Palatopharygeus
Origin - Hard palate; aponeurosis of soft palate
Insertion - Thyroid cartilage and muscles of pharynx
Nerve - Vagus n. via pharyngeal plexus
Action - Elevates pharynx and larynx; closes nasopharynx

Muscle - Salpingopharyngeus
Origin - Cartilage of auditory tube
Insertion - Muscles of pharynx
Nerve - Vagus n. via pharyngeal plexus
Action - Elevates pharynx; opens auditory tube

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