The salpingopharyngeus is a muscle of the pharynx. In addition to elevating the pharynx, this muscle also widens the Eustachian tube to help equalise the pressure in the middle ear.
- Attachments: Originates from the Eustachian tube and inserts onto the pharyngeal wall.
- Action: Elevation of the pharynx during swallowing.
- Innervation: Vagus nerve (CN X).
- Blood supply: Ascending palatine branch of facial artery, greater palatine branch of maxillary artery and the pharyngeal branch of ascending pharyngeal artery.
By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2024)
Fig 3
Posterior view of the pharynx. The pharynx has been split down the midline and opened, to show the longitudinal muscles.