Thyropharyngeus
Tongue & Throat
The thyropharyngeus is the ‘upper squeeze section’ of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor. When you swallow, it helps move food downward through the throat instead of letting it linger in the pharynx.
Function
Constricts the lower pharyngeal wall during swallowing and helps propel the bolus toward the esophagus; it is the superior component of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor.
Origin
Oblique line of the thyroid cartilage; may include nearby thyroid lamina/inferior horn fibers depending on the description.
Insertion
Median pharyngeal raphe on the posterior wall of the pharynx.
Innervation
Pharyngeal plexus via the vagus nerve (CN X); some descriptions add contributions from laryngeal branches of the vagus.