Suprahyoid Muscles
Last updated:
01/12/2025Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located above the hyoid bone, earning them their name. They lie within the anterior triangle of the neck, forming the upper front of the neck and the floor of the mouth. These muscles elevate the hyoid bone and contribute to essential functions such as chewing, swallowing, and vocalization.
Names and Anatomy of the Suprahyoid Muscles
All these muscles are extrinsic, meaning they originate outside the structure they primarily move, the hyoid. They extend from the skull, mainly the mandible above, to the top of the hyoid bone below.
Here is a list of the suprahyoid muscles with their points of attachment, anatomy, and actions:
| Name | Origin | Insertion | Action | Innervation | Blood Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mylohyoid | Mylohyoid line of the mandible | Anterior surface of the hyoid bone and the mylohyoid raphe | Elevates the floor of the oral cavity and the hyoid bone; assists in swallowing, speaking, and chewing | Mylohyoid nerve | Inferior alveolar, submental, and sublingual arteries |
| Geniohyoid | Inferior mental spine of the mandible | Anterior surface of the body of the hyoid bone | Elevates the hyoid bone during swallowing and vocalization; depresses the mandible to assist with chewing | Anterior ramus of the C1 spinal nerve | Lingual artery branches |
| Stylohyoid | Styloid process of the temporal bone | Body of the hyoid bone | Elevates and retracts the hyoid bone to facilitate swallowing | Stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) | Facial, occipital, and posterior auricular arteries |
| Digastric | Anterior belly: Digastric fossa of the mandiblePosterior belly: Mastoid notch of the temporal bone | Superior surface of the hyoid bone via the intermediate tendon | Depresses the mandible to open the jaw; elevates the hyoid bone to aid in swallowing, chewing, and speech | Anterior belly: Mylohyoid nerve (CN V₃)Posterior belly: Facial nerve (CN VII) | Anterior belly: Submental arteryPosterior belly: Occipital and posterior auricular arteries |
As shown in the table, all these muscles assist in chewing, swallowing, and vocalization. They work together to raise the hyoid when the mandible is fixed in place. When the hyoid is fixed, they act to depress the mandible. In either case, the infrahyoid muscles are essential for stabilizing the hyoid from below, allowing the suprahyoid muscles to work effectively.
By depressing the mandible, the suprahyoid muscles help open the mouth and reduce unwanted clenching during chewing. For this reason, they are considered accessory muscles of mastication.
Mnemonic
“TOSS My Gravy Spoon, Darling”
Here, the suprahyoid muscles are:
- My: Mylohyoid
- Gravy: Geniohyoid
- Spoon: Stylohyoid
- Darling: Digastric
TOSS stands for the four infrahyoid muscles: Thyrohyoid, Omohyoid, Sternohyoid, and Sternothyroid.
Reference
- Anatomy, Head and Neck: Suprahyoid Muscle: https://www.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
- Suprahyoid Muscles: ScienceDirect.com
- Suprahyoid Muscles (Left): Elsevier.com
- Suprahyoid Muscles: Kenhub.com
- The Suprahyoid Muscles: TeachMeAnatomy.info
Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.
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