Salpingopharyngeus muscle
Salpingopharyngeus muscle
The Salpingopharyngeus muscle (pronunciation: sal-pin-go-far-in-jee-us) is a vertical muscle in the pharynx, the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the esophagus and larynx.
Etymology
The term "Salpingopharyngeus" is derived from the Greek words "salpinx" meaning tube, and "pharynx" meaning throat, referring to the muscle's location and function.
Anatomy
The Salpingopharyngeus muscle originates from the lower part of the Eustachian tube and the cartilage of the torus tubarius. It descends into the pharynx and blends with the fibers of the palatopharyngeus muscle on the side of the pharynx.
Function
The primary function of the Salpingopharyngeus muscle is to elevate the pharynx and larynx during swallowing and speaking. It also assists in opening the Eustachian tube to allow air pressure to equalize between the nasopharynx and the middle ear.
Clinical Significance
Damage or dysfunction of the Salpingopharyngeus muscle can lead to difficulties in swallowing, known as dysphagia, and can also contribute to Eustachian tube dysfunction, which can lead to symptoms such as ear pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
Related Terms
- Pharynx
- Eustachian tube
- Torus tubarius
- Palatopharyngeus muscle
- Nasopharynx
- Dysphagia
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Salpingopharyngeus muscle
- Wikipedia's article - Salpingopharyngeus muscle
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski