: Neck

6. Muscles of the pharynx

The pharyngeal muscles are divided into constrictor muscles (Mm. constrictores pharyngis superior, medius and inferior) and levator muscles (M. stylopharyngeus, M. salpingopharyngeus and M. palatopharyngeus) .

6.1. Pharyngeal constrictor muscles

Rr. pharyngeales of the N. glossopharyngeus [IX] (= Plexus pharyngeus) O: Pars pterygopharyngea: Lamina medialis of the Proc. pterygoideus, Hamulus ossis pterygoidei Pars buccopharyngea: Raphe pterygomandibularis Pars mylopharyngea: Linea mylohyoidea of the Mandibula Pars glossopharyngea: M. transversus linguae I: Membrana pharyngobasilaris, Raphe pharyngis F: participation in swallowing, narrows the pharyngeal space (PASSAVANT's ridge), separates the epipharynx from the mesopharynx
Rr. pharyngeales of the N. glossopharyngeus [IX] and of the N. vagus [X] (= Plexus pharyngeus) O: Pars chondropharyngea: Cornu minus ossis hyoidei Pars ceratopharyngea: Cornu majus ossis hyoidei I: Raphe pharyngis F: participation in swallowing, narrows the pharyngeal space from behind, promotes wave-like contractions running downwards to support the transport of ingested food into the oesophagus (peristalsis)
Rr. pharyngeales of the N. vagus [X] (= Plexus pharyngeus) O: Pars thyropharyngea: Cartilago thyroidea Pars cricopharyngea: lateral side of the Cartilago cricoidea I: Raphe pharyngis F: closes the Aditus laryngis by elevating the larynx, narrows the pharyngeal space from behind, promotes wave-like downward contractions to support the transport of ingested food into the oesophagus (peristalsis)

6.2. Pharyngeal levator muscles

Rr. pharyngeales of the N. glossopharyngeus [IX] (= Plexus pharyngeus) O: Aponeurosis palatina, Hamulus pterygoideus, Lamina medialis processus pterygoidei I: lateral wall of the pharynx, upper margin of the thyroid cartilage F: tenses the soft palate; pulls the pharyngeal wall in an anterior, superior and medial direction during swallowing; works together with the muscle on the opposite (contralateral) side
Rr. pharyngeales of the N. glossopharyngeus [IX] (= Plexus pharyngeus) O: Cartilago tubae auditivae I: projects into the lateral wall of the pharynx F: elevates the pharynx, opens the Tuba auditiva; works together with the muscle on the opposite (contralateral) side
R. musculi stylopharyngei of the N. glossopharyngeus [IX] O: Proc. styloideus of the Os temporale I: Cartilago thyroidea, projects into the lateral wall of the pharynx F: elevates the pharynx, pulls the pharyngeal wall upwards above the bolus; its horizontally oriented fibre bundles dilate the Isthmus faucium; works together with the muscle on the opposite (contralateral) side

7. Muscles of the larynx

R. externus of the N. laryngeus superior of the N. vagus [X] O: Pars interna: ventral surface of the lamina of Cartilago cricoidea Pars recta and Pars obliqua: ventral surface of the lamina of the Cartilago cricoidea I: inner surface of the lamina of the Cartilago thyroidea and Conus elasticus Pars recta: inferior margin of the lamina of the Cartilago thyroidea Pars obliqua: Cornu inferius of the Cartilago thyroidea F: tenses (elongates) the vocal ligaments by tilting the cricoid cartilage (strongest tensor muscle of the vocal ligaments gross tension)
N. laryngeus recurrens of the N. vagus [X] O: posterior surface of the lamina of Cartilago cricoidea I: Proc. muscularis of the Cartilago arytenoidea F: widens the glottis by lateral movement of the Proc. vocalis of the Cartilago arytenoidea and lateral tilt of the Cartilago arytenoidea
N. laryngeus recurrens of the N. vagus [X] O: lateral upper margin of the Arcus of Cartilago cricoidea I: Proc. muscularis of the Cartilago arytenoidea F: closes the Pars intermembranacea of the glottis by medial (inward) rotation and slight elevation of the Cartilago arytenoidea, opens the Pars intercartilaginea for whispering ('whispering triangle')
N. laryngeus recurrens of the N. vagus [X] O: lateral rim and posterior surface of the Cartilago arytenoidea I: lateral rim and posterior surface of the contralateral Cartilago arytenoidea F: closes the Pars intercartilaginea of the glottis by inducing convergence of both of the Cartilago arytenoidea
N. laryngeus recurrens of the N. vagus [X] O: base of the posterior surface of the Cartilago arytenoidea Pars aryepiglottica: tip of the Cartilago arytenoidea I: tip of the contralateral Cartilago arytenoidea Pars aryepiglottica: lateral margin of the Cartilago epiglottica F: pulls the Cartilago arytenoidea medially, thereby narrowing the Pars intercartilaginea of the glottis and the entrance to the larynx, with subtle opening of the Pars intermembranacea
N. laryngeus recurrens of the N. vagus [X] O: Pars externa: inner surface of the lamina of Cartilago thyroidea I: Proc. muscularis and anterior surface of the Cartilago arytenoidea F: closes the Pars intermembranacea of the glottis by moving next to and lowering the Proc. vocalis O: Pars thyroepiglottica: inner surface of the lamina of Cartilago thyroidea I: lateral margin of the epiglottis and Plica vestibularis F: narrows the entrance to the larynx O: Pars interna (M. vocalis): the inside of the trigone of the Cartilago thyroidea, in the caudal third above the vocal ligament (tendon of BROYLES) I: Portio thyrovocalis: Proc. vocalis, Portio thyromuscularis: Fovea oblonga F: isotonic contraction:

1. closes the Pars intermembranacea of the glottis by elongation or shortening of the vocal folds

isometric contraction:

1. regulates tension of the vocal folds (fine-tuning) regulates the oscillating part of the vocal folds

Rr. pharyngeales of the N. vagus [X] (= Plexus pharyngeus) O: Pars thyropharyngea: lateral margin of the Cartilago thyroidea I: Raphe pharyngis F: elevates the larynx during swallowing, tenses the vocal folds, Tab. 6 Muscles of the pharynx O: Pars cricopharyngea: posterior part of the outer surface of...