MUSCLES OF THE FAUCES. 319 



Use. To draw the velum upwards and backwards, so as to 

 shut the passage from the fauces into the mouth and nose. 



^ 

 Muscles situated about the passage of the Fauces. 



There are two on each side, and a single one in the middle. 

 The two on each side are, 



1. Constrictor Isthmi Faucium, 



Arises, by a slender beginning, from the side of the tongue, 

 near its root ; thence running upwards within the anterior arch, 

 before the amygdala, it is 



Inserted into the middle of the velum pendulum palati, at the 

 root of the uvula anteriorly, being connecte'd with its fellow, and 

 with the beginning of the palato-pharyngeus. 



Use. Draws the velum towards the root of the tongue, which 

 it raises at the same time, and with its fellow, contracts the 

 passage between the two arches, by which it shuts the opening 

 into the fauces. 



2. Palato-Pharyngeus, 



Arises, by a broad beginning, from the middle of the velum 

 palati, at the root of the uvula posteriorly, and from the ten- 

 dinous expansion of the circumflexus palati. The fibres are 

 collected within the posterior arch behind the amygdala, and 

 run backwards to the top and lateral part of the pharynx, where 

 the fibres are scattered, and mix with those of the stylo-pha- 

 ryngeus. 



Inserted into the edge of the upper and back part of the thy- 

 roid cartilage ; some of the fibres being lost between the mem- 

 brane of the pharynx, and the two inferior constrictors. 



Use. Draws the uvula and velum downwards and backwards : 

 and, at the same time, pulls the thyroid cartilage and pharynx 

 upwards, and shortens it ; with the constrictor superior and 

 tongue, it assists in shutting the passage into the nostrils ; and. 

 in swallowing, it thrusts the food from the fauces into the 

 pharynx. 



