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The stylopharyngeus muscle is a pharyngeal muscle that runs between the styloid process of the temporal bone and the pharynx. It is involved in elevating the larynx and pharynx, and dilating the pharynx, thus facilitating the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. The stylopharyngeus muscle is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and receives arterial blood via the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery. It is one of three longitudinal muscles of the pharynx and is the only one that is not innervated by the vagus nerve.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Head and neck region |
| Type | Pharyngeal muscle |
| Shape | Cylindrical superiorly, flattened inferiorly |
| Direction | Vertical, medial |
| Innervation | Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) |
| Embryological origin | Third pharyngeal arch |
| Development | Commences between the 4th and 7th week of gestation |
| Blood supply | Pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery (branch of external carotid artery) |
| Lymphatic drainage | Middle cervical lymph nodes draining into supraclavicular lymph nodes |
| Function | Elevates and dilates the pharynx, raises the larynx, facilitates swallowing and speaking |
| Attachments | Originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone, inserts onto the pharyngeal wall, some fibres attach to the posterior border of the thyroid cartilage |
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What You'll Learn
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a muscle in the head and neck region
The stylopharyngeus muscle plays an important role in elevating the larynx and pharynx and dilating the pharynx, which facilitates the swallowing process. During swallowing, the pharyngeal constrictor muscles propel the food bolus through the pharynx towards the oesophagus. The stylopharyngeus muscle, along with the other internal pharyngeal longitudinal muscles, then helps to elevate the pharynx to receive the food bolus. The stylopharyngeus muscle is also involved in speaking, as it raises the larynx.
In addition to its role in swallowing and speaking, 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 its dynamic collapse 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 muscle receives motor innervation from the glossopharyngeal nerve, which arises from the tympanic nerve.
The stylopharyngeus muscle has a topographical relationship with the piriform recess, which is the major route for pharyngeal swallowing. It passes between the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (laterally) and the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle (medially), and is accompanied by the glossopharyngeal nerve and stylohyoid ligament. Some of its fibres insert onto the thyroid cartilage, while others intermingle with proximal structures. The stylopharyngeus muscle is the medial-most and most vertical of the three styloid muscles, which also include the styloglossus and stylohyoid muscles.
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It is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a muscle in the head and neck region. It is one of the inner longitudinal muscles of the pharynx. It is the only muscle of the pharynx that is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). The stylopharyngeus muscle is also the only pharyngeal muscle that has an origin outside the pharyngeal wall. It originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts onto the pharyngeal wall.
The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) is the ninth cranial nerve. It innervates the stylopharyngeus muscle as it passes across it, descending from the jugular foramen. The glossopharyngeal nerve contains branchial motor fibres that innervate the stylopharyngeus muscle. These motor fibres travel from the nucleus ambiguous, which lies in the floor of the fourth ventricle. After exiting the cranial cavity, the glossopharyngeal nerve runs anterolaterally to the internal carotid artery in the neck.
On reaching the inferior margin of the stylopharyngeus muscle, the glossopharyngeal nerve gives off several branches that provide motor innervations to the muscle. The glossopharyngeal nerve courses around the posterior border of the stylopharyngeus muscle and then curves forward on the lateral aspect of the muscle towards the tongue. The stylopharyngeus muscle is accompanied by the glossopharyngeal nerve as it passes between the superior pharyngeal constrictor and the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles.
The stylopharyngeus muscle has various functions, including elevating the larynx and pharynx, and dilating the pharynx. These movements are important during swallowing and speaking. The stylopharyngeus muscle, along with the other pharyngeal constrictor muscles, helps to propel food through the pharynx towards the oesophagus during swallowing.
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It is involved in elevating the larynx and pharynx
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a long, slender, tapered pharyngeal muscle that runs between the styloid process of the temporal bone and the pharynx. It is one of the three longitudinal muscles of the pharynx, the other two being the palatopharyngeus muscle and the salpingopharyngeus muscle.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is the only muscle of the pharynx that is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and not the vagus nerve (CN X). The glossopharyngeal nerve provides motor innervation to the stylopharyngeus muscle. The nerve gives off several branches that provide motor innervations to the muscle.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is involved in elevating the larynx and pharynx. This movement is important during swallowing and speaking. During swallowing, the pharyngeal constrictor muscles propel the food bolus through the pharynx towards the oesophagus. The stylopharyngeus muscle, along with the other internal pharyngeal longitudinal muscles, then elevates the pharynx to receive the food bolus. This movement also helps in dilating the pharynx, allowing the passage of a large food bolus, thereby facilitating swallowing.
The stylopharyngeus muscle also has a role in dilating the nasopharynx. During breathing, the contraction of this muscle pulls the nasopharyngeal wall dorsally, supporting the wall and preventing its dynamic collapse during inspiration.
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It functions during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a long, slender, tapered pharyngeal muscle that runs between the styloid process of the temporal bone and the pharynx. It is one of three styloid muscles that form the 'bunch of Riolanus', the others being the styloglossus and stylohyoid muscles. The stylopharyngeus is the most vertical and medial of the three.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is the only pharyngeal muscle that has an origin outside the pharyngeal wall. It is innervated by the ninth cranial nerve (glossopharyngeal nerve), unlike the other muscles of the pharynx, which are innervated by the tenth cranial nerve (vagus nerve). The glossopharyngeal nerve curves around the posterolateral border of the stylopharyngeus muscle to pass between the superior and middle constrictor muscles and reach the tongue.
During the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, the stylopharyngeus muscle plays an active role in elevating the larynx, pharynx, and in dilating the pharynx. This movement allows the passage of a large food bolus, thereby facilitating swallowing. The swallowing reflex is triggered once the food bolus touches the pharyngeal wall. Firstly, the pharyngeal constrictor muscles propel the bolus through the pharynx towards the oesophagus. Then the internal pharyngeal longitudinal muscles, including stylopharyngeus, elevate the pharynx and in order to receive the food bolus.
The stylopharyngeus muscle also has a topographical relationship with the piriform recess, which is the major route for pharyngeal swallowing and serves as the largest pocket providing post-deglutition retention. The lateral border of this recess is composed of the stylopharyngeus muscle and the palatopharyngeus muscle.
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It is one of three styloid muscles, forming the 'bunch of Riolanus'
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a long, slender, and tapered longitudinal pharyngeal muscle. It is one of three styloid muscles, forming the bunch of Riolanus. The other two styloid muscles are the styloglossus muscle and the stylohyoid muscle. The stylopharyngeus muscle is the most vertical and medial of the three.
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 originates outside the pharyngeal wall. The muscle is involved in elevating the pharynx and larynx, which is important during swallowing and speaking. The swallowing reflex is triggered once a food bolus touches the pharyngeal wall. The pharyngeal constrictor muscles then propel the bolus through the pharynx towards the oesophagus. The stylopharyngeus muscle also acts as a significant dilating muscle of the nasopharynx. During breathing, the contraction of this muscle pulls the nasopharyngeal wall dorsally, preventing its dynamic collapse by supporting the wall during inspiration.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) and not the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X), which innervates all other pharyngeal muscles. The glossopharyngeal nerve curves around the posterolateral border of the stylopharyngeus muscle to pass between the superior and middle constrictor muscles and reach the tongue. The stylopharyngeus muscle receives arterial blood via the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery, which is a branch of the external carotid artery.
The stylopharyngeus muscle forms part of a significant anatomical structure known as the stylopharyngeal septum (styloid diaphragm). This septum is considered an important surgical landmark when entering the pharyngeal spaces. The diaphragm acts as a hammock for the submandibular and parotid glands, dividing the parapharyngeal space into two compartments: the retrostyloid and prestyloid.
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Frequently asked questions
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a long, slender, tapered pharyngeal muscle that runs between the styloid process of the temporal bone and the pharynx. It is one of the inner longitudinal muscles of the pharynx.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is responsible for raising the larynx and pharynx, dilating the pharynx and facilitating swallowing. It is also involved in speaking.
Unlike other pharyngeal muscles, the stylopharyngeus muscle is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and not the vagus nerve.
