Table 5 - Innervation and actions of pharyngeal muscles involved in oropharyngeal swallowing
From the following article
Physiology of oral cavity, pharynx and upper esophageal sphincter
Benson T. Massey
GI Motility online (2006)
doi:10.1038/gimo2
| Functional group | Muscle | Innervation | Site of motor neurons | Function in deglutition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharyngeal | Stylopharyngeus | CN IX | Nucleus ambiguus (X), medulla | Raise/shorten pharynx; raise larynx |
| Palatopharyngeus | CN XI via pharyngeal branch of CN X (pharyngeal plexus) | Nucleus ambiguus (X), medulla | Lower palate; raise/shorten pharynx; raise larynx; seal oral cavity | |
| Salpingopharyngeus | CN XI via pharyngeal branch of CN X (pharyngeal plexus) | Nucleus ambiguus (X), medulla | Raise/shorten pharynx; raise larynx | |
| Superior pharyngeal constrictor | CN XI via pharyngeal branch of CN X (pharyngeal plexus) | Nucleus ambiguus (X), medulla | Narrow pharyngeal lumen; seal nasopharynx; bolus transport | |
| Middle pharyngeal constrictor | Pharyngeal branch of CN X (pharyngeal plexus | Nucleus ambiguus (X), medulla | Narrow pharyngeal lumen; bolus transport | |
| Inferior pharyngeal constrictor | CN XI via pharyngeal branch of CN X (pharyngeal plexus (also recurrent laryngeal n. and ext. branch sup. laryngeal n. (X) | Nucleus ambiguus (X), medulla | Narrow pharyngeal lumen; bolus transport; distalmost component of upper esophageal sphincter |
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