Palatopharyngeus
Head & throat
Deep muscle — it lies under other muscles. X-ray makes the muscles over it see-through.
- Origin
- Soft palate (palatine aponeurosis)
- Insertion
- Back border of the thyroid cartilage and the side wall of the pharynx
- Action
- Raises the pharynx and larynx; narrows the opening between the mouth and the throat
- Nerve supply
- Pharyngeal plexus of the vagus nerve (CN X)
It forms the rear arch on each side of the throat, behind the tonsil. In swallowing it lifts the pharynx and helps steer food downward.
Palatopharyngeus anatomy page →