Histologic Investigation of the Salpingopharyngeus

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the histologic contents of the salpingopharyngeal fold. The primary objective was to observe the presence of salpingopharyngeus (SP) muscle fibers, particularly at the section near the muscle origin at the torus tubarius (TT). Method: Histologic samples of the salpingopharyngeal fold from 10 cadavers (six females and four males) were analyzed. Following a head bisection, a tissue sample measuring 5 mm in length along the course of the salpingopharyngeal fold was collected from one side (i.e., right or left). The tissue sample was taken from the estimated base of the TT to a point 5 mm inferiorly. Slides were prepared using a standard histological approach and basic pathological staining and analyzed via bright-field microscopy. Results: Skeletal muscle fibers were identified in eight of the 10 tissue blocks of the salpingopharyngeal fold, with dense connective tissue identified in the remaining two tissue blocks. Glandular material was also identified in all 10 tissue blocks. Conclusions: Skeletal muscle fibers and/or dense connective tissue can be consistently identified in the section of the salpingopharyngeal fold near the TT. Glandular material is also consistently present in this same region of the salpingopharyngeal fold. These findings are discussed in relation to possible functional roles of the salpingopharyngeal fold contents, including the SP muscle.