Muscle Names · Muscular System · Hard
Cricopharyngeus
Meaning: The lowest band of the throat muscles, acting as the upper sphincter of the oesophagus.
In practice: Failure of cricopharyngeus to relax can cause a pharyngeal pouch.
Quick check
Two questions on related muscle names words.
Which word means: A group of muscles on the lateral side of the lower leg that evert the foot.
Answer: Peroneus
Which word means: A slender muscle from a spike of bone beneath the ear to the throat wall that raises it during swallowing.
Answer: Stylopharyngeus
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