Muscles of the pharynx
Learning objectives
After going through this study unit you will be able to:
- Name the muscles of the pharynx.
- Describe the attachments, function, and innervation of the muscles of the pharynx.
Watch video
In the previous study unit, we learned that the pharynx, commonly known as the throat, is a muscular column that runs between the nasal and oral cavities of the head and the larynx and esophagus in the neck. It forms a common pathway for food and air passing between those structures and is essential in the process of swallowing and breathing. It also participates in the process of speaking (phonation).
The functions of the pharynx are accomplished by several muscles, divided into two groups based on the orientation of their fibers. The constrictor muscles are formed by a series of overlapping circularly oriented fibers while the longitudinal/elevator muscles have fibers that are oriented vertically.
Curious about the muscles of the pharynx? Check out our video on this topic!
Take a quiz
Test your knowledge of the muscles of the pharynx by taking our quiz below!
To challenge yourself even further, customize your own quiz to get a broader collection of questions about the pharynx.
Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/1096/fdNhOT4SGNe2c2f5RVmgtA_pharyngeal-muscles_english.jpg){kind=logo}
Review all the muscles you learned today in the gallery below!
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/fascia-pharyngobasilaris/5UZiALhbu5bVH21c3XA_Fascia_pharyngobasilaris_01.png "Pharyngobasilar fascia (Fascia pharyngobasilaris); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-constrictor-pharyngis-superior/5Gyk5gmM1mOAkavT2Ug_M._constrictor_pharyngis_superior_01.png "Superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (Musculus constrictor superior pharyngis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-constrictor-pharyngis-medius/9jCkyWtVTAQ3m4a2j12iMQ_M._constrictor_pharyngis_medius_01.png "Middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle (Musculus constrictor medius pharyngis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/cornu-majus-ossis-hyoidei/Ezi20VQwurfU0400XpdTaw_Cornu_majus_ossis_hyoidei_01.png "Greater horn of hyoid bone (Cornu majus ossis hyoidei); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-constrictor-pharyngis-inferior/w5E8m6hG6auDCaxw5s9mw_M._constrictor_pharyngis_inferior_01.png "Inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (Musculus constrictor inferior pharyngis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pars-thyropharyngea-musculi-constrictoris-pharyngis-inferioris/JYHX2YHsm9khrdLUzzuNA_Musculus_constrictor_pharyngis_inferior__Pars_thyropharyngea__01.png "Thyropharyngeal part of inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (Pars thyropharyngea musculi constrictoris pharyngis inferioris); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pars-cricopharyngea-musculi-constrictoris-pharyngis-inferioris/chx7927XiP3PE4ba3BL5Q_Musculus_constrictor_pharyngis_inferior__Pars_cricopharyngea__01.png "Cricopharyngeal part of inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (Pars cricopharyngea musculi constrictoris inferioris pharyngis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/raphe-pharyngis/rJwrCzi2XWm0MAa0ZyufVg_Raphe_pharyngis_01.png "Pharyngeal raphe (Raphe pharyngis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/esophagus/Q4dMmflLzZe3iAroAnww_Esophagus_01.png "Esophagus (Oesophagus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-stylopharyngeus/Fbmh3ZVrZUNOIGTnnW17Nw_M._stylopharyngeus_01.png "Stylopharyngeus muscle (Musculus stylopharyngeus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-palatopharyngeus/1bXEPFwhyKmS3BM2SKVqjQ_M._palatopharyngeus_01.png "Palatopharyngeus muscle (Musculus palatopharyngeus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-salpingopharyngeus/2iZj0gKcaFsfzxHb5Qkg_M._salpingopharyngeus_01.png "Salpingopharyngeus muscle (Musculus salpingopharyngeus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pars-cartilaginea-tubae-auditivae/r7WCsqaON8zND0naPdw_Pars_cartilaginea_tubae_auditivae_01.png "Cartilaginous part of auditory tube (Pars cartilaginea tubae auditivae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/cartilago-thyreoidea-2/n9YXQDGlQY1KRkUUUtMmag_Cartilago_thyroidea_01.png "Thyroid cartilage (Cartilago thyroidea); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Superior constrictor |
Origin: Pterygomandibular raphe, posterior end of mylohyoid line of mandible, pterygoid hamulus Insertion: Pharyngeal tubercle (occipital bone),pharyngeal raphe |
| Middle constrictor |
Origin: Greater and lesser horn of hyoid bone and stylohyoid ligament Insertion: Pharyngeal raphe, blends with superior and inferior constrictors |
| Inferior constrictor |
Origin: Oblique line of thyroid cartilage (thyropharyngeal part) and cricoid cartilage (cricopharyngeal part) Insertion: Pharyngeal raphe, blends with circular esophageal fibers (cricopharyngeal part) |
| Function and innervation |
Function: Constriction of the pharynx Innervation: Vagus nerve (CN X) |
| Stylopharyngeus |
Origin: Styloid process of temporal bone Insertion: Pharyngeal wall (blends with constrictors), posterior border of thyroid cartilage Function: Elevation of pharynx and larynx Innervation: Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) |
| Salpingopharyngeus |
Origin: Cartilaginous part of auditory tube Insertion: Pharyngeal wall (blends with palatopharyngeus) Function: Elevation of pharynx, opens auditory tube during swallowing Innervation: Vagus nerve (CN X) |
| Palatopharyngeus |
Origin: Palatine aponeurosis, posterior border of hard palate Insertion: Pharyngeal wall (blends with contralateral palatopharyngeus), posterior border of thyroid cartilage Function: Elevation of pharynx; closure of isthmus of fauces Innervation: Vagus nerve (CN X) |
Well done!
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