Stylopharyngeus
Head & throat
Deep muscle — it lies under other muscles. X-ray makes the muscles over it see-through.
- Origin
- Inner side of the base of the styloid process of the temporal bone
- Insertion
- Thyroid cartilage and the side wall of the pharynx
- Action
- Raises and widens the pharynx
- Nerve supply
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
A long, slender muscle passing down between the superior and middle constrictors. It lifts and widens the pharynx to receive food during swallowing.
Stylopharyngeus anatomy page →