Cricopharyngeus Muscle Beneath the Skin, Lateral View

Description

Presented in lateral profile beneath the superficial tissues of an adult male neck, the cricopharyngeus forms a horizontal muscular sling at the pharyngoesophageal junction, continuous superiorly with the thyropharyngeus portion of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor. Its fibers wrap posteriorly around the lower hypopharynx and attach to the posterolateral border of the cricoid cartilage, sitting posterior to the laryngeal framework and anterior to the prevertebral fascia and cervical vertebral bodies. Inferiorly, the muscle blends into the proximal cervical esophagus, while nearby landmarks in this field typically include the thyroid cartilage superiorly and the upper cervical spine deep to the pharyngeal wall. The upper shoulder girdle, including clavicle and scapular contour, anchors the lateral neck orientation. Cricopharyngeus tone defines the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and its timed relaxation is a rate-limiting step in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. Dyscoordination or hypertrophy produces the classic cricopharyngeal bar on videofluoroscopic swallow study and can contribute to hypopharyngeal outpouching at Killian’s dehiscence, the substrate for Zenker diverticulum. Small muscle, big consequences. This lateral representation clarifies why endoscopic stapling, open diverticulectomy with cricopharyngeal myotomy, or targeted botulinum toxin injection are planned relative to the cricoid cartilage and proximal esophagus. Use this artwork for teaching the UES in head and neck anatomy, dysphagia modules in speech-language pathology curricula, and operative atlases covering Zenker diverticulum, cervical esophagotomy, and cricopharyngeal myotomy. It also suits radiology or gastroenterology publications discussing barium swallow findings and manometric correlates at the pharyngoesophageal segment. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.