![constrictor muscles constrictor muscles](https://www.earthslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Pharynx-muscles.jpg)
The pharynx receives sensory innervation from the glossopharyngeal nerve. Sympathetic fibres from the superior cervical ganglion.Branches from the external laryngeal nerve.Pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X).Pharyngeal branches from the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).The pharyngeal plexus, which overlies the middle pharyngeal constrictor, is formed by: Motor and sensory innervation of the majority of the pharynx (except nasopharynx) is achieved by the pharyngeal plexus. The pharynx has been split down the midline and opened, to show the longitudinal muscles. Inferior pharyngeal constrictor - located in the laryngopharynx.Middle pharyngeal constrictor - located in the laryngopharynx.Superior pharyngeal constrictor - the uppermost pharyngeal constrictor.The muscles of the pharynx are mostly innervated by the vagus nerve - the only exception being the stylopharyngeus (glossopharyngeal nerve). Inferior component (cricopharyngeus) has horizontal fibres that attach to the cricoid cartilage.Īll pharyngeal constrictors are innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X).Superior component (thyropharyngeus) has oblique fibres that attach to the thyroid cartilage.Inferior pharyngeal constrictor – located in the laryngopharynx.Inserts posteriorly into the pharyngeal raphe.Originates from the stylohyoid ligament and the horns of the hyoid bone.Middle pharyngeal constrictor – located in the laryngopharynx.Inserts posteriorly into to the pharyngeal tubercle of the occiput and the median pharyngeal raphe.Originates from the pterygomandibular ligament, alveolar process of mandible and medial pterygoid plate and pterygoid hamulus of the sphenoid bone.Superior pharyngeal constrictor – the uppermost pharyngeal constrictor.The circular muscles contract sequentially from superior to inferior to constrict the lumen and propel the bolus of food inferiorly into the oesophagus. They are stacked like glasses, which form an incomplete muscular circle as they attach anteriorly to structures in the neck. There are three circular pharyngeal constrictor muscles the superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictors. The muscles of the pharynx are mostly innervated by the vagus nerve – the only exception being the stylopharyngeus (glossopharyngeal nerve). There are two main groups of pharyngeal muscles longitudinal and circular.