Superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle 3101575 208345872 2008-04-26T16:36:29Z Semicarbazide 3038540 /* Origin and insertion */ {{Muscle infobox | Name = Superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle | Latin = musculus constrictor pharyngis superior | GraySubject = 244 | GrayPage = 1143 | Image = Musculusconstrictorpharyngissuperior.png | Caption = Muscles of the [[pharynx]] and [[cheek]]. | Image2 = Gray1031.png | Caption2 = Muscles of the pharynx, viewed from behind, together with the associated vessels and nerves. | Origin = [[medial pterygoid plate]], [[pterygomandibular raphé]], [[alveolar process]] | Insertion = [[pharyngeal raphe]], [[pharyngeal tubercle]] | Blood = | Nerve = [[Vagus nerve]] | Action = Swallowing | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = m_22 | DorlandsSuf = 12548650 | }} The '''superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle''' is a quadrilateral muscle, thinner and paler than the [[inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle]] and [[middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle]]. ==Origin and insertion== The four parts of this muscle arise from:<br /> - the lower third of the posterior margin of the [[medial pterygoid plate]] and its [[hamulus]] ('''Pterygopharyngeal part''')<br /> - from the [[pterygomandibular raphé]] ('''Buccopharyngeal part''')<br /> - from the [[alveolar process]] of the [[mandible]] above the posterior end of the [[mylohyoid line]] ('''Myolopharyngeal part''')<br /> - and by a few fibers from the side of the [[tongue]] ('''Glossopharyngeal part''')<br /> The fibers curve backward to be inserted into the [[median raphé]], being also prolonged by means of an [[aponeurosis]] to the [[pharyngeal spine]] on the basilar part of the [[occipital bone]]. The superior fibers arch beneath the [[levator veli palatini]] muscle and the [[Eustachian tube]]. ==Relations== The interval between the upper border of the muscle and the base of the skull is closed by the pharyngeal aponeurosis, and is known as the sinus of Morgagni. ==Action== As soon as the [[Bolus (digestion)|bolus]] of food is received in the pharynx, the elevator muscles relax, the pharynx descends, and the constrictores contract upon the bolus, and convey it downward into the esophagus. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray129.png|Occipital bone. Outer surface. Image:Gray177.png|Mandible. Inner surface. Side view. Image:Gray513.png|The internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Right side. Image:Gray1028.png|Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind. </gallery> ==External links== * {{GPnotebook|26869838}} * {{MuscleLoyola|scon}} * {{NormanAnatomy|lesson8}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|latpharyngealitems3}}) * {{RocheLexicon|05287.011-1}} {{Gray's}} {{muscle-stub}} {{Muscles_of_head}} [[Category:Muscles of the head and neck]] [[de:Musculus constrictor pharyngis superior]] [[fr:Muscle constricteur du pharynx]] [[hu:Felső garat-összeszorító izom]] [[sr:Мишић горњи констриктор ждрела]] [[sh:Mišić gornji konstriktor ždrela]]