The stylopharyngeus is the longest of the three muscles that spring from the styloid process. It arises from the medial surface of the process close to its root, and extends downwards and forwards between the external carotid and internal carotid arteries to reach the size of the pharynx, where it disappears under cover of the upper border of the middle constrictor muscle. Its fibers blend with those of the palatopharyngeus under cover of the middle constrictor, and the two muscles are inserted into the posterior border of of the lamina of the thyroid cartilage. It is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve.