Muscles of the pharynx

Question 1

What muscles of the pharynx are considered constrictors?

Answer 1

superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles

Question 2

What muscles of the pharynx are considered dilators?

Answer 2

salpingopharyngeus and stylopharyngeus

Question 3

What does the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle do?

Answer 3

constricts the pharynx

Question 4

What muscles of the pharynx do the spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) and vagus nerve (CN X) innervate?

Answer 4

salpingopharyngeus, inferior pharyngeal constrictor, middle pharyngeal constrictor, and superior pharyngeal constrictor

Question 5

What cranial nerve innervates the stylopharyngeus muscle?

Answer 5

glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Question 6

What does the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle do?

Answer 6

narrows the diameter of the pharynx

Question 7

What are the two portions of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle?

Answer 7

cricopharyngeal portion (cricopharyngeus) and thyropharyngeal portion (thryopharyngeus)

Question 8

The cricopharyngeal part of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle is important for ____ and it plays a role in

Answer 8

swallowing; setting vibration for esophageal speech

Question 9

What does the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle do?

Answer 9

reduces the diameter of the lower pharynx

Question 10

What does the salpingopharyngeus do?

Answer 10

raises the lateral pharyngeal wall

Question 11

What does the stylopharyngeus do?

Answer 11

raises and opens the pharynx; this is mainly for deglutition (the process of swallowing)