The palatine tonsil lies in the tonsillar fossa on the lateral wall of the oropharynx. Which structure forms the FLOOR (lateral wall) of the tonsillar fossa?

• A Buccinator muscle
• B Middle constrictor muscle
• C Palatopharyngeus muscle
• D Superior constrictor muscle ✓

Explanation

The tonsillar fossa is bounded anteriorly by the palatoglossal arch, posteriorly by the palatopharyngeal arch, and its floor is formed by the superior constrictor muscle with the pharyngobasilar fascia. This thin muscular floor explains why a peritonsillar or deep neck infection can track laterally into the parapharyngeal space. The middle constrictor lies below the level of the tonsil, and palatopharyngeus forms the posterior fold, not the floor.

Reference: Dhingra's Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 8th ed.

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