The inferior pharyngeal constrictor is a muscle of the pharynx. It is described as having two components – the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus.
- Attachments:
- Thyropharyngeal fibres originate from the thyroid cartilage
- Cricopharyngeal fibres originate from the cricoid cartilage
- All fibres insert posteriorly onto the pharyngeal raphe.
- Action: Constricts the wall of the pharynx during swallowing to propel the food bolus downwards.
- Innervation: Vagus nerve (CN X)
- Blood Supply: Pharyngeal branch of ascending thyroid artery and branches of inferior thyroid artery
By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)
Fig 1
Lateral view of the deep structures of the pharynx. Visible are the circular muscles of the pharynx, and the stylopharyngeus.