Palatopharyngeus muscle

Changed by Owen Kang, 2 Apr 2017

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The palatopharyngeus is a muscle of the head and neck, and one of the inner longitudinal muscles of the pharynx.

Summary

  • origin: palatine aponeurosis, hard palatinepalate
  • insertion: thyroid cartilage
  • innervation:pharyngeal branch of the vagus: accessory nerve (CN XXI)
  • action: elevates the larynx and pharynx; swallowing

Gross anatomy

Origin

The palatopharyngeus is made up of two fasciculi attached to the superior surface of the palatine aponeurosis. The anterior fasciculus has fibres which additionally originate from the posterior border of the hard palate. The posterior fasciculus joins the posterior band of the contralateral palatopharyngeus muscle in the midline.

Insertion

The fasciculi unite at the level of the soft palate. It courses inferolaterally posterior to the tonsil and descends to attach to the posterior border of the thyroid cartilage.

Blood supply

  • arterial supply: greater palatine branch of the maxillary artery, ascending palatine branch of the facial artery, pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery
  • venous drainage: via similarly named veins

Innervation

The muscle receives motor innervation from the cranial portion of the accessory nerve (CN XI). This occurs via the pharyngeal plexus

Action

  • elevation of the larynx and pharynx
  • deglutition
  • -<strong>origin</strong>: palatine aponeurosis, hard palatine</li>
  • +<strong>origin</strong>: palatine aponeurosis, hard palate</li>
  • -<strong>innervation</strong>:pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X)</li>
  • +<strong>innervation</strong>: accessory nerve (CN XI)</li>
  • -</ul><h4>Innervation</h4><p>The muscle receives motor innervation from the accessory nerve (CN XI).</p><h4>Action</h4><ul>
  • +</ul><h4>Innervation</h4><p>The muscle receives motor innervation from the cranial portion of the accessory nerve (CN XI). This occurs via the pharyngeal plexus</p><h4>Action</h4><ul>

Sections changed:

  • Anatomy

Systems changed:

  • Head & Neck
  • Musculoskeletal

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