Cricopharyngeus muscle
Cricopharyngeus muscle
Definition
The cricopharyngeus is a pharyngeal arch 4/6 muscle that participates in oral/pharyngeal behaviors and is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus and the recurrent laryngeal n. (from Vagus, CN X), and is an integral part of the pharyngeal tube, and attaches to the cricoid cartilage and the midline raphe. It acts as a sphincter between the pharynx and esophagus.
Also known as cricopharyngeal part of inferior constrictor pharyngeus, cricopharyngeal part of inferior pharyngeal constrictor, cricopharyngeal part of inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, cricopharyngeus, cricopharyngeus portion of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor, musculus cricopharyngeus, pars cricopharyngea (musculus constrictor pharyngis inferior), pars cricopharyngea musculus constrictoris pharyngis inferioris — per UBERON
The Cricopharyngeus muscle is a part of the Respiratory.