The pharyngeal aponeurosis

Aponeurosis

Aponeuroses are layers of flat broad tendons. They have a shiny, whitish-silvery color, are histologically similar to tendons, and are very sparingly supplied with blood vessels and nerves. When dissected, aponeuroses are papery, and peel off by sections...

(or pharyngobasilar fascia

Fascia

A fascia is a layer of fibrous tissue that permeates the human body. A fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding those structures together in much the same manner as plastic wrap can be used to hold the contents of sandwiches...

, or fibrous coat), is situated between the mucous and muscular layers.

It is thick above where the muscular fibers are wanting, and is firmly connected to the basilar portion of the occipital and the petrous portions of the temporal bones.

As it descends it diminishes in thickness, and is gradually lost.

It is strengthened posteriorly by a strong fibrous band, which is attached above to the pharyngeal spine on the under surface of the basilar portion of the occipital bone, and passes downward, forming a median raphé

Median raphe

The term Median raphe can refer to one of two different anatomical structures:* The pharyngeal raphe* The perineal raphe, also known as the "median r. of perineum"...

, which gives attachment to the Constrictores pharyngis.

External links

• http://ect.downstate.edu/courseware/haonline/labs/l31/100101.htm
• http://www.instantanatomy.net/headneck/areas/phpharyngobasilarfascia.html