Pharyngeal muscles
Musculi pharyngis
- Latin synonym: Tunica muscularis pharyngis
- Synonym: Muscular layer of pharynx; Muscular coat of pharynx
Definition
The pharyngeal muscles form the muscular wall of the pharynx and play a key role in swallowing by propelling food from the oropharynx to the oesophagus. They are arranged as three constrictors — superior, middle, and inferior constrictor muscles — which contract sequentially to push the bolus downward, and three longitudinal muscles — stylopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, and palatopharyngeus — which elevate the pharynx and larynx during swallowing and speaking.
All pharyngeal muscles are innervated by the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) with the exception of the stylopharyngeus muscle which is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).
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