Pharyngeal Constrictors | Pharynx Anatomy 

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Pharynx Anatomy
The three pharyngeal constrictors have different origins anteriorly, but posteriorly all of them inserts into the pharyngeal raphe on the posterior aspect of the pharynx. The pharyngeal raphe extends from the base of the skull (more exactly the pharyngeal tubercle of the occipital bone) to the esophagus.
The superior pharyngeal constrictor is divided into four parts which originate in the following manner:
- From the lower third of the posterior margin of the medial pterygoid plate and its hamulus we have the pterygopharyngeal part;
- from the pterygomandibular raphe (Buccopharyngeal part)
- from the alveolar process of the mandible above the posterior end of the mylohyoid line (Mylopharyngeal part)
- and a few fibers arise from the side of the tongue (Glossopharyngeal part).
The superior fibers of the superior pharyngeal constrictor arch beneath the Eustachian tube and the levator veli palatini muscle.
The middle pharyngeal constrictor has two parts which originate in the following manner:
- from the inferior part of the stylohyoid ligament and the lesser cornu of hyoid bone we have the condropharyngeal part which overlaps partially the superior constrictor;
- from the greater cornu of hyoid bone arises the ceratopharyngeal part.
The inferior pharyngeal constrictor has also two parts:
- from the oblique line on the lamina of thyroid cartilage originates the thyropharyngeal part which overlaps partially the middle constrictor.
- from the back of the cricoid cartilage arises the cricopharyngeal part;
Between the two parts of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor we have a triangular area called the Killian’s triangle. This area represents a poatentialy weak spot in the wall of the pharynx where a Zenker’s diverticulum is more likely to occur.