Quick Facts
Origin: Styloid process of temporal bone.
Insertion: Pharyngeal mucosa.
Action: Elevates pharynx and larynx.
Innervation: Stylopharygneal branch of glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).
Arterial Supply: Ascending pharyngeal artery.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The stylopharyngeus muscle originates from the base of the styloid process of the temporal bone.
Insertion
The stylopharyngeus muscle descends inferiorly along the external surface of the pharynx. It then passes between the superior and middle constrictors to lie on the internal surface of the pharynx where it inserts into the pharyngeal mucosa. Some fibers blend with the palatopharyngeus to attach to the posterior border of the thyroid cartilage.
Key Features & Anatomical Relations
The glossopharyngeal nerve extends inferiorly with the stylopharyngeus muscle. Together, they pass through the gap between the superior and middle constrictor muscles.
Actions
The stylopharyngeus muscle is involved in multiple actions:
- It elevates the pharynx;
- It elevates the larynx (Standring, 2016).
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
