Pharynx Muscles

Question 1

Superior Pharyngeal Constrictor

Answer 1

Origin: hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe, and mylohyoid line of mandible

Insertion: median raphe of pharynx

Innervation: vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus

Blood Supply: ascending pharyngeal artery, ascending palatine and tonsilar branches of facial artery, and dorsal branches of lingual artery

Action: constricts wall of pharynx during swallowing

Question 2

Middle Pharyngeal Constrictor

Answer 2

Origin: stylohyoid ligament and horns of hyoid bone

Insertion: median raphe of pharynx

Innervation: vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus

Blood Supply: ascending pharyngeal artery, ascending palatine and tonsilar branches of facial artery, and dorsal lingual branches of lingual artery

Action: constricts wall of pharynx during swallowing

Question 3

Inferior Pharyngeal Constrictor

Answer 3

Origin: oblique line of thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage

Insertion: median raphe of pharynx

Innervation: vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus

Blood Supply: ascending pharyngeal artery and branches of superior thyroid artery

Action: constricts wall of pharynx during swallowing

Question 4

Salpingopharyngeus

Answer 4

Origin: Pharyngotympanic (auditory, eustachian) tube

Insertion: side of pharyngeal wall

Innervation: vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus

Blood Supply: pharyngeal branch of ascending pharyngeal artery

Action: elevates pharynx and larynx during swallowing and speaking

Question 5

Stylopharyngeus

Answer 5

Origin: medial aspect of styloid process

Insertion: pharyngeal wall

Innervation: glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Blood Supply: ascending pharyngeal artery, ascending palatine and tonsilar branches of facial artery, and dorsal branches of lingual artery

Action: elevates pharynx and larynx during swallowing and speaking

Question 6

Palatopharyngeus

Answer 6

Origin: hard palate and superior palatine aponeurosis

Insertion: lateral pharyngeal wall

Innervation: vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus

Blood Supply: ascending palatine branch of facial artery and descending palatine artery branch of maxillary artery

Action: tenses soft palate and pulls wall of pharynx superiorly, anteriorly, and medially during swallowing