Soft Palate, Glossal and Pharyngeal muscles

Question 1

Levator Veli Palatini

Answer 1

Origin Apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone and the medial surface of
the auditory tube cartilage
Insertion Muscles and fascia of the soft palate; palatine aponeurosis
Action Elevates the soft palate
Innervation Vagus nerve (X) via the pharyngeal plexus
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a.

Question 2

Musculus Uvulae

Answer 2

Origin Posterior nasal spine
Insertion Mucosa of the uvula
Action Shortens the uvula
Innervation Vagus nerve (X) via the pharyngeal plexus
Artery Lesser palatine a.

Question 3

Palatoglossus

Answer 3

Origin Palatine aponeurosis
Insertion Side of the tongue, entering it from above
Action Elevates and retracts the tongue
Innervation Vagus nerve (X) via the pharyngeal plexus
Artery Tonsillar branch of the facial a., ascending pharyngeal a.

Question 4

Palatopharyngeus

Answer 4

Origin Posterior margin of the bony palate and the palatine aponeurosis
Insertion Posterior wall of the pharynx and the posterior margin of the thyroid
cartilage
Action Elevates the larynx
Innervation Vagus nerve (X) via the pharyngeal plexus
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a.

Question 5

Tensor Veli Palatini

Answer 5

Origin Scaphoid fossa, lateral wall of the auditory tube cartilage
Insertion Palatine aponeurosis
Action Opens the auditory tube; tenses the soft palate
Innervation Mandibular div. of the trigeminal nerve (V)
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a.

Question 6

Chondroglossus

Answer 6

Origin Medial side of the lesser horn of hyoid bone
Insertion Ascends to blend with the intrinsic tongue musculature
Action Pulls the sides of the tongue down
nnervation Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Artery Lingual a.

Question 7

Genioglossus

Answer 7

Muscle Genioglossus
Origin Mental spine on the inner aspect of the mental symphysis
Insertion Fans out to insert into the tongue from the tip to the base
Action Protrudes the tongue (inferior fibers); depresses the tongue (middle
fibers)
Innervation Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Artery Lingual a.

Question 8

Hyoglossus

Answer 8

Origin Upper border of the greater horn of the hyoid and body of the hyoid
bone
Insertion Spreads out into the intrinsic muscles of the tongue
Action Depresses the sides of the tongue; retracts the tongue
Innervation Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Artery Lingual a.

Question 9

Styloglossus

Answer 9

Origin Anterior side of the styloid process
Insertion Posterolateral side of the tongue
Action Retracts and elevates the tongue
Innervation Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a., ascending palatine branch of facial a.

Question 10

Inferior Longitudinalis Linguae

Answer 10

Origin Within tongue
Insertion Within tongue near the apex
Action Shapes the tongue for speech and mastication
Innervation Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Artery Lingual a.

Question 11

Superior Longitudinalis Linguae

Answer 11

Origin Within tongue
Insertion Within tongue near the apex
Action Shapes the tongue for speech and mastication
Innervation Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Artery Lingual a.

Question 12

Transversus Linguae

Answer 12

Origin Within tongue
Insertion Within tongue
Action Compresses the sides of the tongue; shapes the tongue for speech and
mastication
Innervation Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Artery Lingual a.

Question 13

Verticalis Linguae

Answer 13

Origin Within tongue
Insertion Within tongue
Action Shapes the tongue for speech and mastication
Innervation Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Artery Lingual a.

Question 14

Inferior Pharyngeal Constrictor

Answer 14

Origin Oblique line of the thyroid cartilage, lateral surface of the cricoid
cartilage
Insertion Midline pharyngeal raphe
Action Constricts the pharyngeal cavity
Innervation Vagus (X), via the pharyngeal plexus, with aid from the superior
laryngeal and recurrent laryngeal nerves
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a., superior & inferior thyroid aa.

Question 15

Middle Pharyngeal Constrictor

Answer 15

Origin Lesser and greater horns of the hyoid bone and the inferior part of the
stylohyoid ligament
Insertion Midline pharyngeal raphe
Action Constricts the pharyngeal cavity
Innervation Vagus (X), via the pharyngeal plexus
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a.

Question 16

Superior Pharyngeal Constrictor

Answer 16

Origin Medial pterygoid plate, pterygoid hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe,
mylohyoid line of mandible
Insertion Pharyngeal tubercle and midline pharyngeal raphe
Action Constricts the pharyngeal cavity
Innervation Vagus (X), via the pharyngeal plexus
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a.

Question 17

Palatopharyngeus

Answer 17

Origin Posterior margin of the bony palate and the palatine aponeurosis
Insertion Posterior wall of the pharynx and the posterior margin of the thyroid
cartilage
Action Elevates the larynx
Innervation Vagus nerve (X) via the pharyngeal plexus
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a.

Question 18

Salpingopharyngeus

Answer 18

Origin Inferior surface of the anteromedial end of the auditory tube cartilage
Insertion Pharyngeal wall and superior border of the thyroid cartilage along with
the palatopharyngeus m.
Action Elevates the larynx
Innervation Vagus nerve (X) via the pharyngeal plexus
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a.

Question 19

Stylopharyngeus

Answer 19

Origin Medial side of the styloid process
Insertion Superior border of the thyroid cartilage and also into the pharyngeal wall
Action Elevates the larynx
Innervation Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
Artery Ascending pharyngeal a.