[Functional morphology of the cricopharyngeal muscle].

In the cricopharyngeal part of the inferior constrictor in the human and canine pharynx, there is a group of odd muscle fibers (transversal portion), which contracts at every phase of sigh. Registration of mechanical and electrical activity of the transversal portion of the canine cricopharyngeal muscle in chronic experiments demonstrates an important role of this structure to prevent from getting an excessive amount of air into the digestive tract at a sigh.