Final answer:
The salpinopharyngeus muscle is part of the pharynx's muscle complex, it aids in elevating the pharynx and larynx during swallowing. The pharynx serves key roles in respiration and digestion, consisting of three parts: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pharynx is a critical structure in the respiratory and digestive systems, and it includes multiple muscles that aid its functioning. One such muscle is the salpinopharyngeus, which originates from the auditory tube (also known as the Eustachian or pharyngotympanic tube) and inserts into the fibrous layer of the pharyngeal wall, contributing to the elevation of the pharynx and larynx during swallowing.
The pharynx itself is a muscular funnel that extends from the posterior nasal and oral cavities to the larynx and the esophagus. The palatopharyngeal arch is a muscular fold that runs from the lateral side of the soft palate to the side of the pharynx. It plays a role in the swallowing mechanism by forming a barrier together with the palatoglossal arch until the soft palate, preventing nasopharyngeal regurgitation of food. The pharynx has three parts—the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx—which are responsible for the passage of air and food, with the latter two also being involved in the digestive process.