THE PHARYNGEAL CONSTRICTOR MUSCLES (posterior view):
Netter Plate Number: 61

This raphe suspends the pharynx from the base of skull at the pharyngeal tubercle, which is a palpable bump.

Superior Constrictor-
From pterygomandibular raphe, posterior to buccinator (also to sphenoid bone).

Middle Constrictor-
From the greater and lesser horns of the hyoid bone, and a portion of the stylohyoid ligament deep to hyoglossus.

Inferior Constrictor-
From thyroid cartilage and small area of adjacent cricoid. (the lower portion is sometimes called the cricopharyngeus)

Structures entering pharynx pass through gaps between the muscles

A. above superior constrictor, eustachian tube and levator veli palatine muscle

B. between superior and middle constrictors, stylopharyngeus muscle blends into pharyngobasilar fascia, and the Glossopharyngeal travels along this muscle.

C. below inferior constrictor (cricopharyngeus part) the recurrent laryngeal nerve enters the larynx

The mucous membrane may herniate through any of these gaps due to increased pressure. These outpouchings are referred to as Zenker Diverticuli (pl).


Zenker diverticuli are usually located in the posterior hypopharyngeal wall. Small Zenker diverticuli may not cause symptoms but larger ones may collect food and obstruct the esophagus.

This was first described in 1867:
F. A. Zenker and Hugo Wilhelm von Ziemssen:
Krankheiten des Oesophagus. Leipzig, 1867.

And the first repair was performed in 1887:
W. I. De Courcy Wheeler:
Cases of pharyngotomy. London and Dublin, 1887.