Palatopharyngeus
Soft Palate · Head & Neck
The palatopharyngeus is a long muscle of the soft palate that forms the palatopharyngeal fold, the posterior pillar of the fauces. It arises from the hard palate and the palatine aponeurosis and descends within the fold to insert into the posterior border of the thyroid cartilage and the wall of the pharynx. Working with the other longitudinal pharyngeal muscles, it elevates the pharynx and larynx during swallowing and helps close off the nasopharynx by drawing the palatopharyngeal arches together. It is supplied by the vagus nerve (CN X) through the pharyngeal plexus.
Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve
Origin
Hard palate and palatine aponeurosis
Insertion
Posterior border of the thyroid cartilage and wall of the pharynx
Action
Elevates the pharynx and larynx and closes the nasopharynx during swallowing
Nerve
Vagus nerve (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus
Attachments explained
The Palatopharyngeus is defined first by where it attaches. Its origin is the more fixed anchor, usually the proximal or more stable end that stays put during contraction, while its insertion is the more mobile point that is pulled toward the origin when the muscle shortens.
Origin
Hard palate and palatine aponeurosis
Insertion
Posterior border of the thyroid cartilage and wall of the pharynx
Action & function
When the Palatopharyngeus contracts, it produces the following movement: Elevates the pharynx and larynx and closes the nasopharynx during swallowing.
As part of the Soft Palate group of the Head & Neck, it works alongside neighbouring muscles to generate smooth, coordinated movement and to stabilise the structures it acts on.
Nerve supply & clinical relevance
The Palatopharyngeus receives its nerve supply from the Vagus nerve (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.
Because a muscle can only contract when its nerve is intact, injury to the Vagus nerve can weaken or paralyse the Palatopharyngeus, impairing the movements it normally produces (elevates the pharynx and larynx and closes the nasopharynx during swallowing). This is why knowing the innervation is central to localising nerve lesions in clinical practice.
How to study the Palatopharyngeus (the OIANS method)
Fix palatopharyngeus as the posterior pillar of the fauces, the partner behind palatoglossus, which forms the anterior pillar. Because it runs from palate down to the pharynx and larynx, contraction pulls those structures up toward the palate during a swallow. Seeing the two arches as front and back curtains of the throat locks its position and its narrowing action in place.
Group it with stylopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus as the three longitudinal pharyngeal elevators, all raising the larynx and pharynx during swallowing. Note that palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus take the vagus through the pharyngeal plexus, while stylopharyngeus is the lone exception on CN IX. Sorting the trio by nerve is an efficient way to remember all three at once.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Palatopharyngeus located?
The Palatopharyngeus is a muscle of the Soft Palate group, located in the Head & Neck.
What is the origin of the Palatopharyngeus?
Hard palate and palatine aponeurosis
What is the insertion of the Palatopharyngeus?
Posterior border of the thyroid cartilage and wall of the pharynx
What movements does the Palatopharyngeus produce?
Elevates the pharynx and larynx and closes the nasopharynx during swallowing
What nerve supplies the Palatopharyngeus?
Vagus nerve (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus
Is the Palatopharyngeus free to study in OIANS?
The Palatopharyngeus is always free to browse. Its full origin, insertion, action and nerve details are open to everyone in the Muscle Directory. Quiz and Flashcard practice for the Head & Neck is part of the one-time Lifetime upgrade, though; only the Upper Limb decks are free to test yourself on.
Related muscles
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