[2] The stylopharyngeus is the only muscle of the pharynx innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) (all others being instead innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X)) by special visceral motor neurons with their cell bodies in[2] the rostral part of[citation needed] the nucleus ambiguus.

[2] On the lateral pharyngeal wall, it is situated posterior to the superior constrictor muscle, and anterior to the buccopharyngeal fascia.

[2] The glossopharyngeal nerve runs on the lateral side of this muscle, and crosses over it to reach the tongue.

[citation needed] Supernumerary muscles originating from other nearby regions of the skull may be present, and may be clinically significant.

[2] The stylopharyngeus:[citation needed] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1143 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)