The inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle originates from the |thyroid| ~cartilage~ and inserts into the |pharynx| (throat). The three constrictor muscles (the inferior pharyngeal, the superior pharyngeal, and the middle constrictor) help move food and drink down through the |esophagus| when swallowing. The inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle is the thickest and most superficial of the three. The superior constrictor muscle is thin and lies near the upper part of the |pharynx|.
