--- title: "Muscles of Pharynx" description: "A guide to the Muscles of Pharynx for medical students and ENT residents." source: "The ENT Resident" author: "Dr. Mausumi Das" canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/muscles-of-pharynx" categories: ["Pharynx"] video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIs4K0EeyjE" image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/muscles-of-pharynx.png" --- # Muscles of Pharynx A guide to the Muscles of Pharynx for medical students and ENT residents. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIs4K0EeyjE ## πŸ’ͺ Muscles of the Pharynx ### πŸ“˜ Introduction The **Muscles of the pharynx** form the **third layer** of the pharyngeal wall (after the mucosal and submucosal layers). They are divided into two groups: - **Circular constrictor muscles** - **Longitudinal muscles** --- ### πŸ”„ Circular Constrictor Muscles The circular muscles assist in the **reflex act of swallowing**, propelling the food bolus by a **coordinated peristaltic wave** into the esophagus. There are **three circular constrictor muscles**: - **Superior constrictor** - **Middle constrictor** - **Inferior constrictor** (further divided into **thyropharyngeus** and **cricopharyngeus** parts) #### **πŸ”Ή 1- SUPERIOR CONSTRICTOR** πŸ“ **Origin:** - Pterygoid hamulus - Posterior surface of medial pterygoid plate - Pterygomandibular raphe - Posterior end of the mylohyoid line of the mandible - Side of the tongue 🎯 **Insertion:** - Median pharyngeal raphe - Base of the skull via pharyngobasilar fascia - Overlaps with middle constrictor - Gap for **stylopharyngeus**, **styloglossus**, **glossopharyngeal nerve**, **lingual nerve** **⚑ Nerve Supply:** - **Pharyngeal plexus** (via vagus nerve, CN X) **βœ… Function:** - Constricts the **uppermost part** of the pharynx #### **πŸ”Ή 2- MIDDLE CONSTRICTOR** πŸ“ **Origin:** - Inferior end of **stylohyoid ligament** - Greater and lesser horns of **hyoid bone** 🎯 **Insertion:** - Median pharyngeal raphe - Overlaps lower superior constrictor - Gap anteriorly covered by **thyrohyoid membrane** **⚑ Nerve Supply:** - **Pharyngeal plexus** (via vagus nerve) **βœ… Function:** - Constricts the **middle part** of the pharynx #### **πŸ”Ή 3- INFERIOR CONSTRICTOR** - **Thickest** of all constrictors - Divided into: - **Thyropharyngeus** (oblique fibers) - **Cricopharyngeus** (horizontal fibers) **πŸ”Έ a. Thyropharyngeus** πŸ“ **Origin:** - Oblique line of thyroid cartilage - Behind thyroid lamina and inferior horn 🎯 **Insertion:** - Median pharyngeal raphe **πŸ”Έ b. Cricopharyngeus** πŸ“ **Origin:** - Lateral aspect of cricoid cartilage 🎯 **Insertion:** - Encircles cricoid arch (does **not fuse** at the raphe) **⚑ Nerve Supply:** - **Pharyngeal plexus** (via vagus nerve) **βœ… Function:** - Forms the **upper esophageal sphincter** >What is **Killian’s Dehiscence**? What is it's clinical importance? >What is **Lamier's Dehiscence**? What is it's clinical importance? --- ### 🧡 Openings Between Constrictor Muscles There are a few openings in between the Constrictor muscles: - Above superior constrictor - Between superior and middle constrictor - Below cricopharyngeus >What are the structures passing through the openings between Constrictor muscles? >What structures pierce the Thyrohyoid membrane? --- ### 🧬 Longitudinal Muscles The longitudinal muscles act as **elevators and dilators** of the pharynx. There are **three longitudinal muscles**: - **Stylopharyngeus** - **Palatopharyngeus** - **Salpingopharyngeus** #### **πŸ”Ή 1. STYLOPHARYNGEUS** πŸ“ **Origin:** - Base of **styloid process** (temporal bone) 🎯 **Insertion:** - Posterior superior **thyroid cartilage** - Some fibers β†’ **lateral glossoepiglottic fold** **⚑ Nerve Supply:** - **Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)** **βœ… Function:** - Elevates **pharynx** and **larynx** - Assists **peristalsis** #### **πŸ”Ή 2. PALATOPHARYNGEUSs** πŸ“ **Origin:** - Anterior: Hard palate - Posterior: Palatine aponeurosis 🎯 **Insertion:** - Posterior border of **thyroid cartilage** **⚑ Nerve Supply:** - **Pharyngeal plexus** (via vagus) **βœ… Function:** - Elevates **pharynx/larynx** - Forms **posterior pillar of fauces** - Closes **isthmus** during swallowing - Shapes **soft palate** #### **πŸ”Ή 3. SALPINGOPHARNEGUS** πŸ“ **Origin:** - Lower part of **pharyngotympanic tube** 🎯 **Insertion:** - Blends with **palatopharyngeus** **⚑ Nerve Supply:** - **Pharyngeal plexus** (via vagus) **βœ… Function:** - Elevates **pharynx** - Assists in **eustachian tube opening** --- ## About This Note This free ENT note on Muscles of Pharynx was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture. Canonical page of this note: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/muscles-of-pharynx When citing or referencing this content, please credit The ENT Resident and link to the canonical page above. ## Related Notes by Category - Pharynx: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/category/pharynx.md ## About The ENT Resident The ENT Resident is an educational website and resource library created by Dr. Mausumi Das (MS ENT) for ENT residents, ENT postgraduates preparing for exams, and MBBS students. Dr. Mausumi Das writes the notes, draws the diagrams, and records the lectures herself. Browse all ENT notes and lectures on The ENT Resident: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures.md ## Medical-use Boundary The ENT Resident provides educational material for medical learning and revision. 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