Anatomy

Upper Esophageal Sphincter

The structure at the pharyngoesophageal junction consisting chiefly of the cricopharyngeus muscle. It normally occludes the lumen of the ESOPHAGUS, except during SWALLOWING.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The structure at the pharyngoesophageal junction consisting chiefly of the cricopharyngeus muscle. It normally occludes the lumen of the ESOPHAGUS, except during SWALLOWING.

MeSH Record

Classification

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

12 entry terms
  • Esophageal Sphincter, Upper
  • Sphincter, Upper Esophageal
  • Cricopharyngeus
  • Cricopharyngeus Muscle
  • Inferior Constrictor of Pharynx
  • Inferior Pharyngeal Constrictor
  • Thyropharyngeus
  • Inferior Pharyngeal Constrictors
  • Muscle, Cricopharyngeus
  • Pharyngeal Constrictor, Inferior
  • Pharyngeal Constrictors, Inferior
  • Pharynx Inferior Constrictor

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, innervation, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

diseases: coordinate IM with ESOPHAGEAL DISEASES (IM) or specific esophageal disease (IM); neoplasms: coordinate IM with ESOPHAGEAL NEOPLASMS (IM)

MeSH Record

History Note

2005; for CRICOPHARYNGEUS and INFERIOR CONSTRICTOR OF PHARYX use PHARYNGEAL MUSCLES 2005-2019

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Esophagus (1966-2004)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Upper Esophageal Sphincter. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D049631. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D049631
  2. Upper Esophageal Sphincter. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_esophageal_sphincter
  3. Upper Esophageal Sphincter. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1407428