Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve

Infobox Nerve
Name = Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve
Latin = plexus pharyngeus nervi vagi
GraySubject = 204
GrayPage = 909

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Caption = Muscles of the pharynx, viewed from behind, together with the associated vessels and nerves. (Pharyngeal plexus visible but not labeled.)


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DorlandsPre = p_24
DorlandsSuf = 12648279
The pharyngeal plexus is a network of nerve fibers innervating most of the palate, larynx, and pharynx.

It is located on the surface of the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle. [ GPnotebook|-946208709]

ources

Although the Terminologia Anatomica name of the plexus has "vagus nerve" in the title, other nerves make contributions to the plexus.

It has the following sources:cite book |author=Jerry L. Gadd; James L., PhD. Oschman; Hiatt, James L.; Leslie P., PhD. Gartner; Gartner, Leslie P. |title=Textbook of head and neck anatomy |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Hagerstown, MD |year=2001 |pages=229 |isbn=0-7817-2166-0 |oclc= |doi=]

* CN IX - pharyngeal branches of glossopharyngeal nerve - sensory
* CN X - pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve - motor
* superior cervical ganglion sympathetic fibers - vasomotor

Because the cranial part of accessory nerve (CN XI) leaves the jugular foramen along with CN IX and X, it is sometimes considered part of the plexus as well.cite book |author=Jerry L. Gadd; James L., PhD. Oschman; Hiatt, James L.; Leslie P., PhD. Gartner; Gartner, Leslie P. |title=Textbook of head and neck anatomy |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Hagerstown, MD |year=2001 |pages=229 |isbn=0-7817-2166-0 |oclc= |doi=]

Innervation

ensory

The pharyngeal plexus provides sensory innervation of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx from CN IX and CN X. (The nasopharynx is innervated by CN V₂)

Motor

The pharyngeal plexus, with fibers from CN IX, CN X, and cranial part of CN XI, innervates all the muscles of the pharynx (except stylopharyngeus, which is innervated directly by a branch of CN IX).

This includes the following muscles: palatopharyngeus, levator veli palatini, palatoglossus, and musculus uvulae, the pharyngeal constrictors, plus others.

ee also

* Superior cervical ganglion

References