Dominic Stone
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a thin, long muscle that forms the lateral walls of the pharynx. It is one of three longitudinal muscles of the pharynx, the other two being the palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus muscles. The stylopharyngeus muscle is responsible for raising the pharynx and larynx and plays an important role in swallowing and speaking. It is also the only pharyngeal muscle that has an origin outside the pharyngeal wall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Head and neck region |
| Type | Longitudinal muscle of the pharynx |
| Origin | Styloid process of the temporal bone |
| Insertion | Pharyngeal wall, thyroid cartilage, pharyngeal mucosa |
| Innervation | Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) |
| Blood supply | Pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery (branch of external carotid artery) |
| Function | Elevates and dilates the pharynx and larynx, aiding in swallowing and speaking |
| Additional function | Pulls the tonsillar bed dorso-superiorly |
| Related pathologies | Dysfunction due to glossopharyngeal nerve anesthesia may result in the collapse of the dorsal wall of the nasopharynx; compression of the internal carotid artery may mimic Eagle syndrome |
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What You'll Learn
- The stylopharyngeus muscle is involved in swallowing and speaking
- It is one of three longitudinal muscles of the pharynx
- It is the only pharyngeal muscle that originates outside the pharyngeal wall
- It is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve
- It is supplied by the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery
The stylopharyngeus muscle is involved in swallowing and speaking
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a thin, cylindrical muscle that extends between the styloid process and several structures of the pharynx and larynx. It is one of three longitudinal pharyngeal muscles, the other two being the palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus muscles. The stylopharyngeus muscle is the only pharyngeal muscle that originates outside the pharyngeal wall, beginning at the styloid process of the temporal bone.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve, which contains branchial motor fibres that innervate the muscle as it passes across it. The glossopharyngeal nerve arises from the tympanic nerve, which initially supplies the parotid gland. The stylopharyngeus muscle is also supplied by the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery, a branch of the external carotid artery.
The stylopharyngeus muscle acts as a dilating muscle of the nasopharynx, helping to prevent its collapse during breathing. It does this by contracting and pulling the nasopharyngeal wall dorsally, providing support during inspiration. The muscle fibres may also blend with the other pharyngeal constrictors, join the lateral glossoepiglottic fold, or attach to the posterior border of the thyroid cartilage.
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It is one of three longitudinal muscles of the pharynx
The stylopharyngeus muscle is one of three longitudinal muscles of the pharynx, the other two being the palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus muscles. The stylopharyngeus muscle is unique among the pharyngeal muscles in that it is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve and not the vagus nerve. It is also the only pharyngeal muscle that originates outside the pharyngeal wall, with its origin being the styloid process of the temporal bone.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a paired muscle that helps form the lateral walls of the pharynx. It extends between the styloid process and several structures of the pharynx and larynx. The muscle is long and thin, cylindrical at the top and flat at the bottom. It runs in a downward direction between the external and internal carotid arteries, passing through the pharyngeal wall between the superior constrictor and the middle constrictor muscles.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is responsible for raising the larynx and pharynx and plays an important role in swallowing (deglutition) and speaking. During breathing, the contraction of this muscle pulls the nasopharyngeal wall dorsally, supporting the wall during inspiration and preventing its dynamic collapse. The stylopharyngeus muscle is also involved in pharyngeal clearance, which is affected by the posture of the head. A chin-down position, for example, can render pharyngeal clearance relatively ineffective.
The stylopharyngeus muscle receives its blood supply from the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery, a branch of the external carotid artery. The glossopharyngeal nerve contains branchial motor fibres that innervate the stylopharyngeus muscle as it passes across it, descending from the jugular foramen.
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It is the only pharyngeal muscle that originates outside the pharyngeal wall
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a paired muscle that forms the lateral walls of the pharynx. It is one of three longitudinal pharyngeal muscles, the other two being the palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus muscles. All three are located internally to the circular pharyngeal constrictor muscles.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is the only pharyngeal muscle that originates outside the pharyngeal wall. It originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone. Specifically, it originates from the medial side of the base of the styloid process. The styloid process is a bony projection from the temporal bone.
The muscle extends inferiorly, travelling along the sides of the pharynx between the superior and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles. It then passes between the superior and middle constrictors to lie on the internal surface of the pharynx. It inserts into the pharyngeal mucosa.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is responsible for raising the larynx and pharynx and functions during swallowing and speaking. It is the major dilating muscle of the dorsal nasopharynx. During breathing, the contraction of this muscle pulls the nasopharyngeal wall dorsally, preventing the dynamic collapse of the dorsal wall of the nasopharynx by supporting the wall during inspiration.
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It is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a paired muscle that forms the lateral walls of the pharynx. It is one of three longitudinal pharyngeal muscles, the other two being the palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus muscles. All three are located internally to the circular pharyngeal constrictor muscles. The stylopharyngeus muscle extends between the styloid process and several structures of the pharynx and larynx.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is the only pharyngeal muscle that has an origin outside the pharyngeal wall. It is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). The glossopharyngeal nerve contains branchial motor fibres to the stylopharyngeus muscle, which is derived from the third pharyngeal arch. This branch is given off to the muscle as it passes across it as it descends down from the jugular foramen. The glossopharyngeal nerve has two efferent components, GVE and SVE. In the latter, branchial motor fibres arise from neurons in nucleus ambiguus and innervate the stylopharyngeus muscle.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is responsible for raising the larynx and pharynx and functions during swallowing (deglutition) and speaking. The muscle fibres may blend with the other pharyngeal constrictors, join the lateral glossoepiglottic fold, or attach to the posterior border of the thyroid cartilage after joining the palatopharyngeus muscle. The glossopharyngeal nerve also innervates taste buds located on the posterior third of the tongue.
The stylopharyngeus muscle acts as a significant dilating muscle of the nasopharynx. During breathing, the contraction of this muscle pulls the nasopharyngeal wall dorsally, preventing the dynamic collapse of the dorsal wall of the nasopharynx by supporting the wall during inspiration. The contraction and shortening of the dorsal pharyngeal constricting muscles and the stylopharyngeus muscle stiffen and dilate the nasopharynx, forming a sphincter that moves the food bolus caudal into the oesophagus during swallowing.
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It is supplied by the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a thin, cylindrical muscle that originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone. It is the only pharyngeal muscle with an origin outside the pharyngeal wall. It is one of the three longitudinal muscles of the pharynx, the other two being the palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus muscles. The stylopharyngeus muscle acts as a significant dilating muscle of the nasopharynx. During breathing, the stylopharyngeus muscle contracts and pulls the nasopharyngeal wall dorsally, preventing the dynamic collapse of the dorsal wall of the nasopharynx by supporting the wall during inspiration.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is supplied by the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery, which is a branch of the external carotid artery. The pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery provides oxygenated blood to the stylopharyngeus muscle, ensuring that it receives the necessary nutrients and oxygen to function properly. This blood supply is crucial for the muscle's ability to contract and relax, allowing it to perform its role in supporting the nasopharyngeal wall during breathing.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is unique among the pharyngeal muscles as it is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), while other pharyngeal muscles are typically innervated by the vagus nerve. The glossopharyngeal nerve provides motor and sensory functions to the stylopharyngeus muscle, allowing it to contract and relax in a coordinated manner. It is important to note that glossopharyngeal nerve anesthesia bilaterally can produce a dysfunction of the stylopharyngeus muscle, resulting in the collapse of the dorsal wall of the nasopharynx.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is involved in multiple functions, including swallowing (deglutition) and speaking. It elevates the pharynx and larynx, facilitating the passage of food during swallowing and aiding in the production of speech. This elevation is made possible by the innervation received from the glossopharyngeal nerve, which triggers the muscle to contract and relax as needed.
The stylopharyngeus muscle also plays a role in stiffening and dilating the nasopharynx, working alongside the dorsal pharyngeal constricting muscles. During breathing, the stylopharyngeus muscle has tonic and phasic expiratory activities, which help to support the nasopharynx and ensure its structural integrity during respiratory functions.
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Frequently asked questions
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a long, thin muscle that is shaped like a cylinder superiorly and becomes flat inferiorly. It is located in the head and neck region and is one of the inner longitudinal muscles of the pharynx.
The stylopharyngeus muscle originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts onto the pharyngeal wall. It is the only pharyngeal muscle that has an origin outside the pharyngeal wall.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is responsible for raising the larynx and pharynx and functions during swallowing and speaking. It also acts as a significant dilating muscle of the nasopharynx, supporting the wall during inspiration and preventing its collapse.
The stylopharyngeus muscle has its embryological origin from the third pharyngeal arch. It starts forming between the fourth and seventh weeks of gestation.
The blood supply to the stylopharyngeus muscle is provided by the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery, which is a branch of the external carotid artery.
