[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Pharyngeal constrictors [Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Pharyngeal constrictors The pharyngeal constrictors are three stacked curved muscles forming the back and sides of the throat; they squeeze in turn to push food down when swallowing. Official name: Superior pharyngeal constrictor [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=pharyngeal_constrictors&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Three stacked curved muscles that form the back and sides of the throat. ## What it does Squeeze in sequence to push food down when swallowing. ## Key points - Stacked like three cups, each inside the one below (inferior outside middle, middle outside superior), open at the front; they contract from top to bottom to drive the bolus - Swallowing: oral phase (voluntary, the [tongue](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tongue/) pushes the bolus back); pharyngeal phase (reflex: palate seals the nose, larynx rises and closes, constrictors squeeze); oesophageal phase (peristalsis) - The cricopharyngeus, the lowest part of the inferior constrictor, is the upper oesophageal sphincter; it relaxes as the hyoid bone and larynx are pulled up and forward ## Key facts **Origin** Superior: pterygomandibular raphe, [medial pterygoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-pterygoid-muscle/) plate; middle: hyoid horns; inferior: thyroid and cricoid cartilages **Insertion** Pharyngeal raphe (posterior midline) **Action** Squeeze food down in sequence when swallowing **Nerve** [Vagus nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vagus-nerve/) via the pharyngeal plexus (inferior also external/recurrent laryngeal) **Blood supply** Ascending pharyngeal, inferior thyroid arteries ## Relations **Contents** Through the gaps: above the superior, the [auditory tube](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/auditory-tube/) and levator veli palatini; between superior and middle, stylopharyngeus and the [glossopharyngeal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/glossopharyngeal-nerve/); between middle and inferior, the internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels; below the inferior, the [recurrent laryngeal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/recurrent-laryngeal-nerve/) **Behind** Buccopharyngeal fascia and the retropharyngeal space, then the prevertebral fascia and the cervical vertebrae **Deep** Longitudinal muscles (stylopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus), the pharyngobasilar fascia above, then the mucosa; the [palatine tonsil](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/palatine-tonsil/) sits against the superior constrictor **In front** Front attachments: pterygomandibular raphe (shared with the [buccinator](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bucinator/)), the horns of the [hyoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hyoid-bone/), the [thyroid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-cartilage/) and the [cricoid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cricoid-cartilage/) **Lateral** Parapharyngeal space and the [carotid sheath](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/carotid-sheath/); lower down, the lobes of the [thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/) ## How to find it Not palpable from outside. A gloved finger in the mouth feels the front of the upper cervical vertebrae through the thin back wall of the [pharynx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pharynx/); in dissection the constrictors are seen from behind once the retropharyngeal space is opened. ## On imaging A videofluoroscopic swallow study or a fibre-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) shows weak pharyngeal squeeze as residue in the valleculae and piriform fossae, and penetration or aspiration into the airway. ## Clinical notes - Curtain sign: with a one-sided vagus nerve or pharyngeal plexus lesion, the back wall of the pharynx moves toward the healthy side on saying 'aah' - Cricopharyngeal dysfunction: the upper sphincter fails to open fully; a cricopharyngeal bar shows on barium swallow, and it is linked with Zenker diverticulum - The recurrent laryngeal nerve enters the larynx under the lower edge of the inferior constrictor, behind the [cricothyroid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/oblique-part-of-cricothyroid-muscle/) joint: a point of risk in thyroid surgery - Stroke, motor neuron disease and myasthenia gravis commonly weaken the pharyngeal phase, causing dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia ## Development They come from the fourth pharyngeal arch and are supplied by the vagus through the pharyngeal plexus; some texts assign the cricopharyngeus to the sixth arch, matching its supply from the recurrent laryngeal nerve. ## Related conditions - [Oropharyngeal dysphagia in older adults](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/oropharyngeal-dysphagia-in-older-adults/) - [Peritonsillar abscess](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peritonsillar-abscess/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is the nerve supply of the pharyngeal constrictors? The vagus nerve via the pharyngeal plexus; the inferior constrictor also gets the external and recurrent laryngeal nerves. ## Which part of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor forms the upper oesophageal sphincter? The cricopharyngeus, its lowest part; it relaxes as the hyoid and larynx are pulled up and forward. ## What is the curtain sign? With a one-sided vagus nerve or pharyngeal plexus lesion, the back wall of the pharynx moves toward the healthy side on saying «aah». ## What passes between the middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictors? The internal laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal vessels. ## Where does the recurrent laryngeal nerve enter the larynx relative to the pharyngeal constrictors? Under the lower edge of the inferior constrictor, behind the cricothyroid joint: a point of risk in thyroid surgery. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/superior-pharyngeal-constrictor/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** constrictor superior pharyngis TA2 2179 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Músculos constrictores de la faringe DeCS D010609 **English (TA2)** Superior pharyngeal constrictor **Also called** superior constrictor muscle of pharynx · musculus cephalopharyngicus ## Related - [Vagus nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vagus-nerve/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=10801&filter=ths_termall&q=Pharyngeal%20Muscles); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Pharynx](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544271/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Swallowing](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554405/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Surface Markings of Special Regions of the Head and Neck (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-pharyngeal-constrictor/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-pharyngeal-constrictor/