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Medical Definition of Musculus constrictor pharyngis inferior
1. Origin, outer surfaces of thyroid (thyropharyngeal part) and cricoid (cricopharyngeal part, musculus cricopharyngeus; superior or upper oesophageal sphincter muscle) cartilages; insertion, pharyngeal raphe in the posterior portion of wall of pharynx; action, narrows lower part of pharynx in swallowing, the cricopharyngeal part has a sphincteric function for the oesophagus, allowing some voluntary control of eructation and reflux; nerve supply, pharyngeal plexus. Synonym: musculus constrictor pharyngis inferior, cricopharyngeus muscle, laryngopharyngeus, musculus laryngopharyngeus. (05 Mar 2000)