This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Inferior constrictor muscle (pharynx, anatomy)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The inferior constrictor is most inferior of the three muscles which envelope the pharynx. It arises from the:

  • oblique line on lamina of the thyroid cartilage
  • cricothyroid arch
  • anterolateral aspect of arch of cricoid cartilage

On each side the muscle passes superiorly and posteriorly to encircle the pharynx. It inserts with the fibres of the contralateral side into a median raphe posterior to the pharynx.

Often it is stated that the there are two separate parts to the inferior constrictor dependent on origin - see submenu.

The inferior pharyngeal constrictor acts to constrict the wall of the pharynx and so facilitates swallowing.

It is innervated by the pharyngeal and superior laryngeal branches of the vagus nerve (X) via the pharyngeal plexus. Motor fibres are derived from the cranial accessory nerve (XI).

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.