Pharyngeal muscles
Last revised by Timothy Fiori on 23 Mar 2022
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Kaneria N, Fiori T, Knipe H, Pharyngeal muscles. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 09 Jun 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-98288
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rID:
98288
Article created:
22 Mar 2022, Nirav Kaneria
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Nirav Kaneria had no recorded disclosures.
View Nirav Kaneria's current disclosuresLast revised:
23 Mar 2022, Timothy Fiori
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Timothy Fiori had no recorded disclosures.
View Timothy Fiori's current disclosuresRevisions:
7 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
There are multiple pharyngeal muscles that make up the structure of the pharynx. They comprise circular and longitudinal muscles whose overall function is to propel food into the esophagus.
On this page:
Gross anatomy
Outer/circular muscles
These muscles comprise the outer layer of musculature and act to constrict the walls of the pharynx during swallowing:
- superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle
- middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle
- inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle
Inner/longitudinal muscles
These muscles make up the inner layer of musculature - they act to elevate (shorten and widen) the pharynx and larynx during swallowing and speaking.
Innervation
The stylopharyngeus muscle is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). All other muscles are supplied by the vagus nerve (CN X).
Arterial supply
The blood supply for the muscles is provided by the external carotid artery. The main branches include the ascending pharyngeal artery, facial artery, lingual artery, and maxillary artery.
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Venous drainage
Venous drainage is into the pharyngeal venous plexus and then subsequent drainage into the internal jugular vein.
References
- 1. Keith L. Moore, Arthur F. Dalley, A. M. R. Agur. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. (2010) ISBN: 9780781775250 - Google Books
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