Before the head is bisected you will identify the pharyngeal constrictors and the cranial nerves emerging from the base of the skull near the jugular foramen. You will return to these structures in Step 1A and 1B of the Oral Cavity, Pharynx and Larynx exercise.

1. Identify the superior, middle and inferior pharyngeal-constrictors. (G 8.27;N 67;GI 44.30) The superior constructor is continuous with the buccinator, the middle constrictor is at the level of the hyoid bone, and the inferior constrictor is at the level of the larynx. (G 8.27;N 70;GI 44.30)
2. Identify the common, external and internal carotid arteries and internal jugular vein. (G 8.27;N 73 and 71;GI 44.30) Trace the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein to the base of the skull. Identify the accessory nerve emerging from the jugular foramen and passing lateral into the sternocleidomastoid. Identify the vagus and hypoglossal nerves. The hypoglossal nerve will appear to be a branch of the vagus and pass lateral to the internal and external carotid arteries.
3. Identify the superior laryngeal branching from the vagus nerve. If necessary, trace the superior laryngeal nerve back from its internal laryngeal branch. The superior laryngeal nerve passes medial to both the internal and external carotid arteries.
4. Identify the stylopharyngeus muscle and glossopharyngeal nerve. (G 8.27;N 67;GI 44.29) Attempt to identify the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve. The glossopharyngeal nerve and pharyngeal branch of the vagus pass between the internal and external carotid arteries.