Logan Steele
The pharyngeal constrictor muscles are a group of three involuntary muscles attached to the pharyngobasilar fascia that sequentially constrict the pharynx to propel food into the oesophagus during swallowing. The three muscles are the superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles, which form the outer circular layer of the pharynx. The inner longitudinal layer is made up of the stylopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, and palatopharyngeus muscles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pharyngeal constrictor muscles | 3 |
| Outer layer | Superior, middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles |
| Inner layer | Paired muscles: stylopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus, and salpingopharyngeus |
| Function | Contracts involuntarily in a sequence known as peristalsis to push food into the oesophagus |
| Innervation | Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and vagus nerve (CN X) |
| Blood supply | External carotid artery branches, including the ascending pharyngeal, facial, lingual, and maxillary arteries |
| Attachments | Pharyngeal tubercle of the skull base, pharyngeal raphe, stylohyoid ligament, hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage |
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What You'll Learn
- The pharyngeal constrictor muscles are a group of three involuntary muscles attached to the pharyngobasilar fascia
- The superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles form the outer layer of the pharyngeal wall
- The inner layer of the pharyngeal wall is made up of paired muscles, including the stylopharyngeus, the palatopharyngeus, and the salpingopharyngeus
- The pharyngeal constrictor muscles contract sequentially to propel food into the oesophagus during swallowing
- The pharyngeal muscles receive dual innervation from the
The pharyngeal constrictor muscles are a group of three involuntary muscles attached to the pharyngobasilar fascia
The superior constrictor muscle originates from the pterygoid process, the posterior end of the mandible's mylohyoid line, and the pterygomandibular ligament. It narrows the upper pharyngeal segment and closes the nasopharynx during swallowing. The middle constrictor muscle arises from the greater and lesser horns of the hyoid bone and the stylohyoid ligament. It constricts the middle pharyngeal portion during swallowing. The inferior constrictor muscle is subdivided into the thyropharyngeus superiorly and the cricopharyngeus inferiorly. Both segments attach to the median pharyngeal raphe. The inferior constrictor compresses the lower pharynx.
The pharyngeal constrictor muscles contract sequentially from superior to inferior to constrict the pharyngeal lumen and propel food into the oesophagus. This process is known as peristalsis and occurs during and immediately after swallowing. The pharyngeal muscles receive dual innervation from the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) and the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). The stylopharyngeus muscle is the only pharyngeal muscle innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve, with the other muscles being innervated by the vagus nerve.
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The superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles form the outer layer of the pharyngeal wall
The pharyngeal constrictor muscles are a group of involuntary muscles attached to the pharyngobasilar fascia. The three pharyngeal constrictor muscles—the superior, middle, and inferior—form the outer circular layer of the pharyngeal wall. The pharyngeal muscles are organised into two layers: the outer circular layer and the inner longitudinal layer surrounding the lumen. The outer layer consists of the superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles, which form a muscular sleeve with a strong internal lining on its fascial aspect known as the pharyngobasilar fascia.
The superior constrictor muscle originates from the pterygoid process, the posterior end of the mandible's mylohyoid line, and the pterygomandibular ligament. It inserts onto the pharyngeal tubercle of the skull base and the pharyngeal raphe, a midline tendinous seam where the constrictor muscles converge. Contraction of this muscle narrows the upper pharyngeal segment and closes the nasopharynx during swallowing.
The middle constrictor muscle arises from the greater and lesser horns of the hyoid bone and the stylohyoid ligament. It inserts onto the median pharyngeal raphe, as does the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. It constricts the middle portion of the pharynx during swallowing.
The inferior constrictor is subdivided into the thyropharyngeus superiorly and the cricopharyngeus inferiorly. The thyropharyngeus originates from the thyroid cartilage, whereas the cricopharyngeus arises from the cricoid cartilage and merges with the oesophageal muscle. Both segments attach to the median pharyngeal raphe. The inferior constrictor compresses the lower pharynx. The coordinated movements of the constrictor muscles allow them to propel food smoothly from the oral cavity into the oesophagus.
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The inner layer of the pharyngeal wall is made up of paired muscles, including the stylopharyngeus, the palatopharyngeus, and the salpingopharyngeus
The pharyngeal muscles are a group of muscles that form the pharynx, which is posterior to the oral cavity, determining the shape of its lumen, and affecting its sound properties as the primary resonating cavity. The pharyngeal muscles are organised into two layers: the outer circular layer and the inner longitudinal layer.
The outer layer consists of three pharyngeal constrictor muscles: the superior, middle, and inferior constrictor muscles. These muscles form a muscular sleeve with a strong internal lining called the pharyngobasilar fascia. They contract involuntarily in a sequence known as peristalsis, which helps push food from the oral cavity into the oesophagus during and immediately after swallowing.
The inner layer of the pharyngeal wall is made up of three paired muscles: the stylopharyngeus, the palatopharyngeus, and the salpingopharyngeus. These muscles act as a group to elevate the larynx, shorten the pharynx, and aid in swallowing and speaking.
The stylopharyngeus is the only pharyngeal muscle innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). It originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts onto the thyroid cartilage, blending with the fibres of the palatopharyngeus muscle. Contraction of this muscle elevates both the pharynx and larynx, aiding in swallowing.
The palatopharyngeus originates from the hard palate of the oral cavity and inserts onto the pharyngeal wall. It is innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X).
The salpingopharyngeus originates from the auditory tube and inserts onto the pharyngeal wall. It is also innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X). Contraction of this muscle raises the pharynx and opens the auditory tube, equalising ear pressure during swallowing.
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The pharyngeal constrictor muscles contract sequentially to propel food into the oesophagus during swallowing
The pharyngeal constrictor muscles are a group of three involuntary muscles attached to the pharyngobasilar fascia. They form the outer circular layer of the pharynx, which is a muscular tube divided into the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and laryngopharynx. The three constrictor muscles are the superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles. They are arranged like stacked glasses, forming an incomplete muscular circle around the pharynx. The superior constrictor muscle originates from the pterygoid process, the posterior end of the mandible's mylohyoid line, and the pterygomandibular raphe. It narrows the upper pharyngeal segment and closes the nasopharynx during swallowing. The middle constrictor muscle arises from the stylohyoid ligament and the greater and lesser horns of the hyoid bone. It constricts the middle pharyngeal portion during swallowing. The inferior constrictor muscle is subdivided into the thyropharyngeus superiorly and the cricopharyngeus inferiorly. It constricts the lower pharynx. The thyropharyngeus originates from the thyroid cartilage, while the cricopharyngeus arises from the cricoid cartilage.
The inner longitudinal layer of the pharynx consists of the stylopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, and palatopharyngeus muscles. During swallowing, these muscles act to shorten and widen the pharynx and elevate the larynx. The stylopharyngeus is the only pharyngeal muscle innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), while the others are innervated by the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X). The pharyngeal muscles receive their blood supply from branches of the facial artery, including the ascending pharyngeal, lingual, and maxillary arteries.
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The pharyngeal muscles receive dual innervation from the glossopharyngeal
The pharyngeal muscles are a group of muscles that form the pharynx, which is posterior to the oral cavity. The pharyngeal muscles are organised into two layers: an outer circular layer and an inner longitudinal layer. The outer layer consists of the superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles. The inner longitudinal layer comprises the palatopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, and stylopharyngeus muscles.
The pharyngeal muscles receive dual innervation from the glossopharyngeal nerve (ninth cranial nerve or cranial nerve IX) and the vagus nerve (tenth cranial nerve or cranial nerve X). The glossopharyngeal nerve is a sensory nerve that runs into the pharyngeal plexus, which is the main nervous plexus that supplies the pharynx. The pharyngeal plexus provides sensory and motor innervation to the pharynx. The motor innervation of the STP muscle is mostly from the glossopharyngeal nerve, while the vagus nerve supplies the innervation to the other pharyngeal muscles.
The pharyngeal muscles play an important role in vital processes such as breathing, swallowing, preventing aspiration, and speaking. These muscles contract involuntarily in a sequence known as peristalsis, which helps push food from the oral cavity into the oesophagus. The coordinated movements of the constrictor muscles allow them to propel food smoothly from the oral cavity into the oesophagus.
The pharyngeal muscles are also susceptible to various disorders, such as cricopharyngeal achalasia, where the cricopharyngeus muscle fails to open adequately, causing recurrent choking, regurgitation, coughing, and pneumonia. Another disorder is glossopharyngeal neuralgia, characterised by repeated pain episodes in the tongue, throat, ear, and tonsils, typically triggered or worsened by swallowing, speaking, and chewing.
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Frequently asked questions
Pharyngeal constrictor muscles are a group of involuntary muscles attached to the pharyngobasilar fascia that sequentially constrict the pharynx to propel food into the oesophagus during swallowing.
There are three types of pharyngeal constrictor muscles: superior, middle, and inferior.
The superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle originates from the pterygoid process, the posterior end of the mandible's mylohyoid line, and the pterygomandibular ligament. It narrows the upper pharyngeal segment and closes the nasopharynx during swallowing.
The middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle arises from the greater and lesser horns of the hyoid bone and the stylohyoid ligament. It constricts the middle pharyngeal portion during swallowing.
