286 HEAD AND NECK 



(p. 199), and then the upper and lower portions must be turned 

 aside. 



Musculus Constrictor Pharyngis Superior (Fig. 107, d\ 

 The superior constrictor has a weak but continuous line 

 of origin from the following parts : (a) the lower third of 

 the posterior border of the medial pterygoid lamina and its 

 hamulus ; (fr) the pterygo-mandibular raphe, which is common 

 to it and the buccinator muscle; (c) the posterior end of the 

 mylo-hyoid line on the medial aspect of the mandible ; (d) the 

 mucous membrane of the mouth and side of the tongue. From 

 their origins, the fibres curve backwards and medially to reach 

 the median raphe, whilst, as a rule, some of the highest gain 

 a distinct insertion into the pharyngeal tubercle on the under 

 surface of the basilar portion of the occipital bone. 



The lower part of the superior constrictor is overlapped 

 by the middle constrictor; and the stylo-pharyngeus passes 

 into the interval between the two as it descends to its inser- 

 tion (Fig. 107, n). The upper border of the muscle, which is 

 free and crescentic, falls short of the base of the skull. 



Raphe Pterygo-mandibularis (Fig. 107, q\ The pterygo- 

 mandibular raphe is a strong, narrow, tendinous band, which 

 extends from the hamulus of the medial pterygoid lamina to 

 the posterior part of the mylo-hyoid line of the mandible. It 

 acts as a tendinous bond of union between the buccinator 

 and superior constrictor muscles. Its connections can be 

 appreciated best by introducing the finger into the mouth 

 and pressing laterally along the course of the raphe. 



Sinus of Morgagni. The term sinus of Morgagni is ap- 

 plied to the semilunar interval which intervenes between 

 the basis cranii and the upper crescentic margin of the 

 superior constrictor. The deficiency in the muscular wall of 

 the pharynx in that region is compensated for by the increased 

 strength of the pharyngeal aponeurosis, which, in that situa- 

 tion, is called the pharyngo-basilar fascia. In contact with the 

 outer surface of the aponeurosis are two muscles belonging 

 to the soft palate viz. the levator veli palatini and the tensor 

 veli palatini (Fig. 107, c and b\ The levator, which is rounded 

 and fleshy, lies posterior to the tensor, which is flat and more 

 tendinous. The tensor can readily be recognised from its 

 position in relation to the deep surface of the internal 

 pterygoid muscle, and because its tendon turns medially under 

 the hamulus of the medial pterygoid lamina. In the upper 



