The palatopharyngeus may elevate the larynx with the suprahyoid muscles and contribute to successive movements of swallowing with surrounding muscles. The attachment area extends from the posterior end of the thyroid cartilage to the posterior margin of the attachment site of the inferior constrictor.

A part of the palatopharyngeus, which originated from the inferior aspect of the palatine aponeurosis, was attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the thyroid cartilage through collagen fibers.

We evaluated 14 halves of seven heads from Japanese cadavers (average age: 76.4 years) 12 halves, anatomically and two halves histologically. In the present study, we analyzed the attachment site and characteristics of the palatopharyngeus in the thyroid cartilage. However, the morphological relationship between the larynx and palatopharyngeus remains unclear. Recently, clinical research has demonstrated that the palatopharyngeus, a longitudinal muscle of the pharynx, is involved in the elevation of the larynx. Laryngeal elevation is essential for proper swallowing and breathing. Shimada K, Gasser RF: Variations of the pharyngeal raphe.The attachment of the palatopharyngeus extended from the posterior end of the thyroid cartilage to the posterior margin of the inferior constrictor attachment that might contribute to successive swallowing movements. Shimada K, Gasser RF: Morphology of the pterygomandibular raphe in human fetuses and adults. Saigusa H, Yamashita K, Tanuma K, Saigusa M, Niimi S: Morphological studies for retrusive movement of the human adult tongue. Gaughran GRL: The pterygomandibular raphe-anatomical artifact. Sicher H: The anatomy of mandibular anesthesia. Howland JP, Brodie AG: Pressures exerted by the buccinator muscle. Dysphagia 20:8–14, 2005Ĭasey DM: Palatopharyngeal anatomy and physiology. Leaper M, Zhang M: An anatomical protrusion exists on the posterior hypopharyngeal wall in some elderly cadavers. Mu L, Sanders I: Muscle fiber-type distribution pattern in the human cricopharyngeus muscle. In: English GM (ed.) Otolaryngology Philadelphia: Harper and Row, 1985, pp 1–9īosma JF, Bartner H: Ligaments of the larynx and the adjacent pharynx and esophagus. Hollinshead WH: Anatomy of the pharynx and esophagus. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001, pp 136–138 Putz R, Pabst R: Sobotta atlas of human anatomy, Vol.1, 13th English ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999, pp 676–684īrand RW, Isselhard DE: Anatomy of Orofacial Structures. Saunders, 1995, pp 1726–1733Īgur AMR, Lee MJ: Grant’s Atlas of anatomy, 10th ed. Gastrosintest Radiol 10:196–212, 1985īosma JF, Donner MW, Tanaka E, Robertson D: Anatomy of the pharynx, pertinent to swallowing. These findings suggest that the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle may also play an important role in the expression of smooth coordinated movements associated with ingestion, from mastication to swallowing.ĭonner MW, Bosma JF, Robertson D: Anatomy, physiology of the pharynx. The present study found that the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle is attached to the buccinator muscle (which plays an important role in mastication) with mucosa and originates from the mandible and root of the tongue. Morphology of the origin of the muscle at the mylopharyngeal part could be divided into two types: type A, tip of the origin on the mylohyoid line and type B, tip of the origin away from the mylohyoid line. In all three types, the muscle at the buccopharyngeal part transitionally originated from the buccinator muscle. Morphology of the origin of the muscle at the buccopharyngeal part could be divided into three types: type A, membranous morphology from superior to inferior areas type B, membranous only in superior area and type C, complete lack of membrane. To clarify the morphologic characteristics of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, which plays an important role in swallowing, the gross anatomy of the pterygopharyngeal, buccopharyngeal, mylopharyngeal, and glossopharyngeal parts of the muscle was examined.

Superior constrictor muscle function