Middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle

Middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle

Muscles of the pharynx and cheek (middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle labeled as constrictor pharyngis medius at center left)

Muscles of the pharynx, viewed from behind, together with the associated vessels and nerves (middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle labeled as Mid. constr. at center)
Details
Origin Hyoid bone
Insertion Pharyngeal raphe
Artery Ascending pharyngeal artery
Nerve Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve
Actions Swallowing
Identifiers
Latin Musculus constrictor pharyngis medius
Dorlands
/Elsevier
m_22/12548641
TA A05.3.01.108
FMA 46622

Anatomical terms of muscle

The middle pharyngeal constrictor is a fanshaped muscle located in the neck. It is one of three pharyngeal constrictors. Similarly to the superior and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles, the middle pharyngeal constrictor is innervated by a branch of the vagus nerve through the pharyngeal plexus. The middle pharyngeal constrictor is smaller than the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

Structure

The middle pharyngeal constrictor arises from the whole length of the upper border of the greater cornu of the hyoid bone, from the lesser cornu, and from the stylohyoid ligament.

The fibers diverge from their origin: the lower ones descend beneath the constrictor inferior, the middle fibers pass transversely, and the upper fibers ascend and overlap the constrictor superior.

It is inserted into the posterior median fibrous raphe, blending in the middle line with the muscle of the opposite side.

Function

As soon as the bolus of food is received in the pharynx, the elevator muscles relax, the pharynx descends, and the constrictors contract upon the bolus, and convey it downward into the esophagus.[1][2] They also have respiratory mechanical effects.[3]

Additional images

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Rowe LD, Miller AJ, Chierici G, Clendenning D (August 1984). "Adaptation in the function of pharyngeal constrictor muscles". Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 92 (4): 392–401. PMID 6435057.
  2. Donner, Martin W.; Bosnia, James F.; Robertson, Diane L. (1985). "Anatomy and physiology of the pharynx". Gastrointestinal Radiology. 10 (1): 197–212. ISSN 0364-2356. doi:10.1007/BF01893103.
  3. Kuna, Samuel T (2000). "Respiratory-related activation and mechanical effects of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles". Respiration Physiology. 119 (2-3): 155–161. ISSN 0034-5687. doi:10.1016/S0034-5687(99)00110-3.

Further reading

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