The pharyngeal constrictors have three muscular gaps ('gaps in the pharyngeal wall'). What structure passes through the gap between the superior and middle constrictor?

• A The internal laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal artery
• B The recurrent laryngeal nerve and the inferior thyroid artery
• C The facial artery and the hypoglossal nerve
• D The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and the stylopharyngeus muscle ✓

Explanation

The pharyngeal wall has three gaps between the three constrictors: (1) Above the superior constrictor: the auditory tube, levator veli palatini, and ascending palatine artery pass; (2) Between superior and middle constrictors: the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and the stylopharyngeus muscle pass through; (3) Between middle and inferior constrictors: the internal laryngeal nerve (from superior laryngeal branch of vagus) and the superior laryngeal artery pass. The recurrent laryngeal nerve enters the larynx from below by passing under the inferior constrictor. These relationships are tested in surgical anatomy questions.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.