Motor

Fibers from CN X innervate all the muscles of the pharynx (except stylopharyngeus, which is innervated directly by a branch of CN IX).^[3] This includes an outer circular layer of three constrictor muscles (superior, middle, inferior) that propel food downwards and an inner longitudinal layer (stylopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus) that elevate the larynx and shorten the pharynx during swallowing.^[3]

In addition to the muscles of the pharynx, the pharyngeal plexus also innervates all of the muscles of the nearby soft palate (except tensor veli palatini), including the levator veli palatini, musculus uvulae, palatoglossus, and palatopharyngeus.^[4]

Sensory

The pharyngeal plexus provides sensory innervation to most of the pharynx;^[1] it provides sensory innervation to the oropharynx and laryngopharynx from CN IX and CN X. (The nasopharynx above the pharyngotympanic tube and the torus tubarius is innervated by CN V₂).^{[citation needed]}