yogabook / muscles / Constrictor pharyngis superior
The constrictor pharyngis superior or „upper pharyngeal constrictor“ is a quadrangular muscle that forms the muscular part of the pharynx together with the constrictor pharyngis medius and the constrictor pharyngis inferior. It can be divided into 4 parts:
- Pars pterygopharyngea
- Pars buccopharyngea
- Pars mylopharyngea
- Pars glossopharyngea
It closes the nasal section of the pharynx against its oral section by raising the passavant bulge on the posterior pharyngeal wall. This presses the soft palate against the Passavant bulge during swallowing and prevents the bolus from entering the nasal cavity.