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Muscle Origin Insertion Action Nerve
genioglossus superior mental spine (posterior surface of symphysis menti) central mass of tongue & mucous membrane protraction of tongue hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
hyoglossus hyoid bone (superior border of greater cornu) tongue (lateral side) depression of tongue hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
intrinsic tongue muscles superior & inferior longitudinal, transverse & vertical elements mucous membrane, septum & other muscles of tongue change shape of tongue to aid mastication, speech & swallowing hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
levator veli palatini temporal bone (apex of inferior surface of petrous portion) & medial rim of auditory tube palatine aponeurosis elevation, retraction & lateral deviation of soft palate; may open auditory tube on swallowing pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve (X) with its motor fibers from cranial accessory nerve (XI)
m. uvulae posterior border of hard palate palatine aponeurosis shapes uvula pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve (X) with its motor fibers from cranial accessory nerve (XI)
pharynx – constrictor inferior cricopharyngeus: cricoid cartilage (lateral aspect); thyropharyngeus: thyroid cartilage (oblique line) & fibrous cricothyroid arch cricopharyngeus: continuous with muscle of opposite side, behind pharynx; thyropharyngeus : lower pharyngeal raphe assists swallowing; cricopharyngeus acts as upper esophageal sphincter pharyngeal plexus (IX, X & sympathetic via pharyngeal branch of X with motor fibers from spinal accessory (XI)
pharynx – constrictor middle stylohyoid ligament (lower third) hyoid bone (lesser cornu & superior border of greater cornu) pharyngeal raphe (middle portion) assists in swallowing pharyngeal plexus (IX, X & sympathetic via pharyngeal branch of X with motor fibers from spinal accessory (XI)
pharynx – constrictor superior medial pterygoid plate (lower two thirds), pterygomandibular raphe & mylohyoid line on mandible (posterior portion) pharyngeal raphe (upper midline) & occipital bone (pharyngeal tubercle of clivus) assists swallowing pharyngeal plexus (IX, X & sympathetic via pharyngeal branch of X with motor fibers from spinal accessory (XI)
pharynx – palatoglossus palatine aponeurosis posterolateral tongue assists initiation of swallowing; elevation of posterior tongue & closes oropharyngeal isthmus pharyngeal plexus (IX, X & sympathetic via pharyngeal branch of X with motor fibers from spinal accessory (XI)
pharynx – palatopharyngeus palatine aponeurosis & hard palate (posterior margin) thyroid cartilage (upper border) & blends with constrictor fibers; upper fibers interdigitate with opposite side (Passavant’s ridge) elevation of pharynx & larynx; Passavant’s muscle closes nasopharyngeal isthmus during swallowing pharyngeal plexus (IX, X & sympathetic via pharyngeal branch of X with motor fibers from spinal accessory (XI)
pharynx – salpingopharyngeus inferior cartilage & mucosa of pharyngeal orifice of auditory tube thyroid cartilage (upper border) & inferior constrictor muscle fibers elevation of pharynx & larynx & aids swallowing; opens auditory canal during swallowing pharyngeal plexus (IX, X & sympathetic via pharyngeal branch of X with motor fibers from spinal accessory (XI)
stylopharyngeus styloid process (medial aspect) thyroid cartilage (posterolateral border) Elevation of larynx & pharynx; assists in swallowing glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
tensor veli palatini sphenoid bone (scaphoid fossa & medial aspect of spine) palatine aponeurosis (via pulley of pterygoid hamulus) tenses soft palate prior to elevation trigeminal nerve (CN V, mandibular branch)

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