The stylopharyngeus arises by a slender tendon from the medial surface of the styloid process and inserts into the pharyngeal wall between the superior and middle pharyngeal constrictors. It is the only pharyngeal muscle innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).
The stylopharyngeus tendon is a landmark for the glossopharyngeal nerve, which winds around its posterior border as it descends from the skull base. Eagle syndrome (elongated styloid process) may compress the stylopharyngeus tendon and adjacent structures, causing throat pain on swallowing. The tendon is also relevant in stylohyoid complex surgery for Eagle syndrome and in parapharyngeal space dissection.
Compression of the stylopharyngeus tendon and glossopharyngeal nerve by an elongated styloid process producing throat pain, dysphagia, and ear pain on swallowing, treated by styloid process shortening.
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