Salpingopharyngeus muscle
The salpingopharyngeus muscle is a muscle of the pharynx. It arises from the lower part of the cartilage of the Eustachian tube,[1] and inserts into the palatopharyngeus muscle by blending with its posterior fasciculus. It is innervated by vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) via the pharyngeal plexus. It raises the pharynx and larynx during deglutition (swallowing) and laterally draws the pharyngeal walls up. It opens the pharyngeal orifice of the Eustachian tube during swallowing to allow for the equalization of pressure between it and the pharynx.
| Salpingopharyngeus muscle | |
|---|---|
 Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind. | |
| Details | |
| Origin | lower part of the cartilage of the auditory tube |
| Insertion | fibers pass downward and blend with the palatopharyngeus muscle to the upper border thyroid cartilage, blending with constrictor fibers |
| Artery | ascending pharyngeal artery |
| Nerve | vagus nerve (CN X) |
| Actions | assists in elevating pharynx, pulls on torus tubarius to pressure equalize middle ear |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | Musculus salpingopharyngeus |
| TA98 | A05.3.01.115 |
| TA2 | 2191 |
| FMA | 46665 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
Structure
The salpingopharyngeus is a very slender muscle. It passes inferior-ward from its origin to its insertion.[1]
Origin
The salpingopharyngeus muscle arises from the superior border of the medial cartilage of the Eustachian tube, in the nasal cavity.[2][3] This makes the posterior welt of the torus tubarius.[2]
Insertion
It blend with the posterior fasciculus of the palatopharyngeus muscle.[3]
Innervation
The salpingopharyngeus is supplied by the vagus nerve (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.[3]
Blood supply
The salpingopharyngeus muscle is supplied by the ascending pharyngeal artery.
Variation
The salpingopharyngeus muscle is absent in about 40% of individuals. It is more common in thin individuals.[4]
Function
The salpingopharyngeus muscle raises the pharynx and larynx during deglutition (swallowing) and laterally draws the pharyngeal walls up.[5] Unusually, it is relaxed during deglutition, but contracts at all other times.[5] It opens the pharyngeal orifice of the Eustachian tube during swallowing allowing for the equalization of pressure between the it and the pharynx.
See also
Additional images
Torus tubarius dissection show salpingopharyngeus muscle
salpingopharyngeus muscle dissection
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1143 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- Sinnatamby, Chummy (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). p. 385. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
- Simkins, Cleveland S. (1943). "Functional Anatomy of the Eustachian Tube". Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. 38 (5): 476–84. doi:10.1001/archotol.1943.00670040495009.
- McMyn, J. K. (January 1940). "The Anatomy of the Salpingo-Pharyngeus Muscle". The Journal of Laryngology and Otology. 55 (1): 1–22. doi:10.1017/S002221510000517X. ISSN 1748-5460. S2CID 72972586.
- Albahout, Khaled S.; Lopez, Richard A. (2022), "Anatomy, Head and Neck, Pharynx", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 31334991, retrieved 2023-01-12
- Guindi, G. M.; Charia, K. K. C. (1980-11-01). "A reappraisal of the salpingo-pharyngeus muscle". Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology. 229 (2): 135–141. doi:10.1007/BF00454236. ISSN 1434-4726. PMID 7458769. S2CID 3126653.
