plural of pharyngeal tonsil

(anatomy) One of the three muscles that constrict the pharynx.

(neuroanatomy) A plexus formed by branches of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and sympathetic nerves supplying the muscles and mucous membrane of the pharynx and adjoining parts.

(anatomy) A fan-shaped muscle of the pharynx that arises from the ceratohyal and thyrohyal of the hyoid bone and from the stylohyoid ligament, inserts into the median line at the back of the pharynx, and acts to constrict part of the pharynx in swallowing.

(anatomy) A 4-sided muscle of the pharynx that arises from the posterior and medial parts of the pterygoid plate, from the pterygomandibular raphe, from the alveolar process above the end of the mylohyoid line, and from the side of the tongue, that inserts into the median line at the back of the pharynx, and that acts to constrict part of the pharynx in swallowing.

(anatomy) A muscle of the pharynx that is the thickest of its three constrictors, arises from the surface and side of the cricoid and thyroid cartilages, inserts into the median line at the back of the pharynx, and acts to constrict part of the pharynx in swallowing.