Anatomy

Origin

From the superior border of the medial cartilage of the pharyngotympanic tube (Eustachian tube), in the nasal cavity, making the posterior welt of the torus tubarius.

Insertion

It passes downward and blends with the posterior fasciculus of the palatopharyngeus muscle. Its medial fibers insert in the posterior edge of thyroid cartilage, its lateral fibers end into the fibrous pharyngeal raphe in the posterior median line of the pharynx.

Nerve

The salpingopharyngeus is innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.

Actions

It raises the pharynx and larynx during deglutition (swallowing) and laterally draws the pharyngeal walls up. In addition, it opens the pharyngeal orifice of the pharyngotympanic tube during swallowing. This allows for the equalization of pressure between the auditory canal and the pharynx. As the salpingopharyngeus is used to open the eustachian tubes to equalize pressure in the middle ear, the muscle can easily be stimulated by swallowing.