During normal speech, the nasopharyngeal isthmus is closed by elevation of the soft palate against a ridge raised on the posterior pharyngeal wall. Which muscle is chiefly responsible for producing this Passavant ridge?

• A Stylopharyngeus
• B Tensor veli palatini
• C Cricopharyngeus
• D Palatopharyngeus fibres of the superior constrictor ✓

Explanation

Passavant ridge is produced by contraction of palatopharyngeal sphincteric fibres, classically described as part of the superior constrictor arising from the palatine aponeurosis, which raise a transverse mucosal fold on the posterior pharyngeal wall during velopharyngeal closure. Tensor veli palatini tenses and elevates the palate but does not form the ridge, cricopharyngeus acts at the lower pharynx as the upper oesophageal sphincter, and stylopharyngeus elevates the laryngopharynx during swallowing. Failure of this closure causes hypernasal speech in cleft palate patients.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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