Cricopharyngeus is the lower part of the inferior constrictor. It arises as transverse fibres from the cricoid cartilage and combines with the circular fibres of the oesophagus to contribute to the upper oesophageal sphincter. Some of its upper fibres insert into the pharyngeal raphe. As with the other pharyngeal constrictors it is innervated by the cranial accessory nerve via the pharyngeal plexus.
The recurrent laryngeal nerve ascends in the trachea-oesophageal groove and passes deep cricopharyngeus
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