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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

14:13
Coordinate Mapping of Hyolaryngeal Mechanics in Swallowing
Published on: May 6, 2014
[Respiratory function of pharyngeal muscles]
Uspekhi Fiziologicheskikh Nauk
|October 7, 2006
Summary
Pharyngeal dilating muscles, like the genioglossus, act as accessory respiratory muscles. They help maintain an open airway and reduce resistance during breathing, especially under load.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Respiratory Mechanics
- Neuroscience
Context:
- Upper airway patency is crucial for respiration.
- Pharyngeal muscles, particularly the genioglossus, play a key role in maintaining airway openness.
- Neuromuscular control mechanisms are vital for airway stability.
Purpose:
- To review experimental studies on pharyngeal muscles, focusing on the genioglossus.
- To discuss the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying upper airway patency.
- To explore the role of pharyngeal muscles in respiratory load compensation.
Summary:
- The genioglossus muscle is a primary pharyngeal dilator, essential for maintaining upper airway patency.
- Inspiratory activation of the genioglossus is compared to that of the diaphragm.
- Pharyngeal dilating muscles function as accessory respiratory muscles, compensating for added inspiratory loads by decreasing airway resistance.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant role of upper airway muscles in respiratory compensation.
- Supports the classification of pharyngeal dilating muscles as accessory muscles of respiration.
- Demonstrates that load compensation by pharyngeal muscles involves integrated sensory inputs.
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