Origin, outer surfaces of
thyroid (thyropharyngeal part) and
cricoid (cricopharyngeal part,
musculus cricopharyngeus; superior or
upper oesophageal sphincter muscle) cartilages; insertion,
pharyngeal raphe in the posterior portion of
wall of pharynx; action, narrows lower
part of
pharynx in swallowing, the
cricopharyngeal part has a
sphincteric function for the oesophagus, allowing some
voluntary control of
eructation and reflux;
nerve supply,
pharyngeal plexus.
Synonym:
musculus constrictor pharyngis inferior, cricopharyngeus muscle, laryngopharyngeus,
musculus laryngopharyngeus.