CRICOPHARYNGEUS MUSCLE Meaning and
Definition
-
The cricopharyngeus muscle is a band of muscle located at the upper part of the esophagus, specifically in the region of the pharynx. It is also commonly referred to as the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) due to its role in regulating the passage of food or liquid from the throat into the esophagus.
Anatomically, the cricopharyngeus muscle forms a ring-like structure around the uppermost portion of the esophagus. Its primary function is to contract and relax, creating a muscular valve that controls the opening and closing of the upper part of the esophagus. During swallowing, the cricopharyngeus muscle contracts to prevent food or liquid from regurgitating back into the throat or airway. This helps to ensure that swallowed substances only enter the esophagus and are directed towards the stomach.
Sometimes, dysfunction or abnormalities of the cricopharyngeus muscle can occur, leading to conditions such as cricopharyngeal achalasia or cricopharyngeal spasms. Cricopharyngeal achalasia is characterized by the inability of the muscle to relax properly during swallowing, causing difficulty in passing food into the esophagus. Cricopharyngeal spasms, on the other hand, involve involuntary contractions of the muscle, resulting in the sensation of a lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing.
In summary, the cricopharyngeus muscle plays a crucial role in the process of swallowing by acting as a gateway between the throat and the esophagus, ensuring the smooth movement of food and liquid into the digestive system.
Common Misspellings for CRICOPHARYNGEUS MUSCLE
- xricopharyngeus muscle
- vricopharyngeus muscle
- fricopharyngeus muscle
- dricopharyngeus muscle
- ceicopharyngeus muscle
- cdicopharyngeus muscle
- cficopharyngeus muscle
- cticopharyngeus muscle
- c5icopharyngeus muscle
- c4icopharyngeus muscle
- crucopharyngeus muscle
- crjcopharyngeus muscle
- crkcopharyngeus muscle
- crocopharyngeus muscle
- cr9copharyngeus muscle
- cr8copharyngeus muscle
- crixopharyngeus muscle
- crivopharyngeus muscle
- crifopharyngeus muscle
- cridopharyngeus muscle
Etymology of CRICOPHARYNGEUS MUSCLE
The word "cricopharyngeus" is derived from two roots: "crico-" and "-pharyngeus".
The root "crico-" is derived from the Latin word "cricus", which means "ring". It refers to the shape of the cricoid cartilage, a ring-shaped structure in the larynx.
The suffix "-pharyngeus" is derived from the Greek word "phárynx", which means "throat" or "pharynx". It is often used to denote muscles or structures that are located in or related to the throat or pharynx.
Therefore, the term "cricopharyngeus" refers to a specific muscle located in the throat or pharynx, which is shaped like a ring and is related to the cricoid cartilage.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
