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The omohyoid muscle is a muscle of the cervical wall that extends from the hyoid bone to the scapula. It is made up of two bellies, the inferior and superior, which are separated by an intermediate tendon. The primary function of the omohyoid is to depress the hyoid bone, aiding in chewing and swallowing. Injury to the omohyoid muscle is common among bodybuilders and those who perform weight-bearing exercises. Treatment for omohyoid syndrome includes myofascial release, post-isometric contraction-relaxation stretching, pre-modulated electrical stimulation, and cold packs. This text will explore how to release the omohyoid muscle through various methods and provide preventative measures to avoid injury.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bellies | 2 |
| Function | Depresses the hyoid bone, aids in raising cervical fascia during inhalation, and connects the upper shoulder and the anterior neck |
| Injuries | Common among bodybuilders and those involved in weight-bearing exercises |
| Treatments | Ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, chiropractic evaluation and treatment, neck toning exercises |
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What You'll Learn
Omohyoid muscle anatomy
The omohyoid, or omohyoideus, is a muscle in the neck with two bellies. The inferior belly originates from the superior border of the scapula (shoulder blade) and runs from the posterior to the anterior across the superior shoulder toward the clavicle. The central tendon of the omohyoid is attached to the clavicle by a fibrous expansion of the cervical fascia. This attachment changes the direction of the muscle, moving the superior belly distally toward the hyoid bone, where the superior belly inserts. The omohyoid acts to depress the hyoid bone.
Variations in the omohyoid muscle are present in approximately 20% of people. The origin site at the superior border of the scapula can vary in location and size, and sometimes the muscle also originates from the superior transverse scapular ligament. The intermediate tendon that connects the two bellies of the omohyoid can vary in length and form and may contain varying amounts of muscle tissue.
The omohyoid is innervated by the ansa cervicalis of the cervical plexus, which arises from the cervical spinal nerves C1-C3. The inferior belly is innervated by the ansa cervicalis itself, while the superior belly is innervated by the superior root of ansa cervicalis, derived from the first cervical spinal nerve (C1).
The omohyoid is an important muscular connection between the upper shoulder and the anterior neck. It divides the posterior triangle of the neck into two smaller triangles: the supraclavicular triangle inferiorly and the occipital triangle superiorly.
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Omohyoid muscle injuries
The omohyoid muscle is a muscle of the cervical wall extending from the hyoid bone to the scapula. It is comprised of two sections, the inferior belly and the superior belly, separated by an intermediate tendon. The inferior belly originates from the superior border of the scapula and runs from posterior to anterior across the superior shoulder toward the clavicle. The central tendon is attached to the clavicle by a fibrous expansion of the cervical fascia.
The omohyoid is a muscular connection between the upper shoulder and the anterior neck. Due to the number of structures this muscle ties together, injuries to the omohyoid can have a significant impact. Omohyoid muscle syndrome (OMS) is a rare condition that presents as a protruding X-shaped lateral neck mass when swallowing. This condition can be caused by intense vomiting or a flexion/extension injury to the cervical spine and musculature of the anterior neck. In one case, a martial arts athlete suffered OMS after being held in a chokehold. The patient experienced difficulty breathing and intense neck straining.
To prevent injury to the omohyoid, general neck toning exercises can be performed. One such exercise involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and slowly arching your neck forward and backward, curling your neck over a small object near your throat. This exercise should be performed slowly and fluidly, with deep breathing, and repeated ten times.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your omohyoid muscle, it is important to consult a medical professional for advice and treatment.
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Omohyoid muscle syndrome
The omohyoid muscle is an infrahyoid strap muscle with two bellies: the superior belly and the inferior belly, separated by an intermediate tendon. The central tendon of the omohyoid is attached to the clavicle, and in some cases, also to the first rib. The muscle originates from the upper border of the scapula and inserts itself at the lower border of the body of the hyoid bone.
In his book, *Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes*, Waldman discusses a pain management approach to treating omohyoid syndrome, which can lead to complications such as brachial plexus and phrenic nerve injury. He emphasizes the importance of a thorough diagnosis, as missed diagnoses can include hyoid bone fracture, occult cervical fracture, tumours, and pharyngeal disease, all of which present similar symptoms.
In rare cases, duplicate omohyoid muscles can cause significant progressive clinical symptoms such as neck deformity, limited neck motion, dysphagia, and dyspnea. Surgical treatment may be required if non-surgical options are unsuccessful.
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Exercises to strengthen the omohyoid muscle
The omohyoid is a muscle of the cervical wall that extends from the hyoid bone to the scapula. It is comprised of two distinct sections – the inferior belly and the superior belly. The primary function of the omohyoid is to depress the hyoid bone, which aids in the actions of chewing and swallowing.
Chin Tuck Exercise
The chin tuck exercise can be beneficial as it directly targets the muscles in the front of the neck, including the omohyoid, aiding in improving posture and reducing strain on the neck. Stand comfortably with your feet shoulder-width apart. Now, slowly arch your neck forward. Don't simply drop your chin to your chest but rather imagine that you are curling your neck over a small object near your throat.
Shoulder Shrug Exercise
The shoulder shrug exercise works the upper trapezius muscles that are connected to the neck muscles, providing indirect support to the omohyoid and improving its functionality.
Shaker Exercise
The Shaker exercise was designed to strengthen the suprahyoid muscle, thereby assisting the opening of the UES. It can be effective in addressing swallowing difficulty caused by incomplete UES opening. In this exercise, sustained head lifts are performed with the subject in the supine position.
Submandibular Push Exercise
The submandibular push exercise may be effective as a swallowing muscle exercise due to its ability to induce selective contractions of the supra- and infrahyoid muscles.
Remember, it's important to start with light intensity exercises and gradually increase the intensity as your strength and flexibility improve. Maintaining proper form and technique is crucial to avoid injury. If you feel any discomfort or pain, stop the exercise immediately and consult with a physical therapist or a professional trainer.
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Treatment for omohyoid muscle syndrome
Injury to the omohyoid muscle is common among bodybuilders and those who engage in weight-bearing exercises. Neck toning exercises can help strengthen the omohyoid muscle and the surrounding structures. One such exercise involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and slowly arching your neck forward, then backward, in a slow and fluid motion.
In the case of a 22-year-old male mixed martial arts athlete, the patient experienced a stiff neck and a protruding lateral neck mass that occurred while swallowing. The injury was sustained during a jiu-jitsu training session where he was held in a "rear-naked" chokehold. The patient was informed that the condition was purely cosmetic and did not pose any long-term risks. Conservative management was recommended to treat any neck pain, and corrective cosmetic surgery was offered as an option.
Chiropractic treatment may also be an option for omohyoid syndrome. One patient, who experienced pain and a positive jump sign at the left sternocleidomastoid muscle, underwent myofascial release, post-isometric contraction-relaxation stretching, pre-modulated electrical stimulation, and cold packs. It is important to note that pain management approaches for omohyoid syndrome can bring potential complications, including brachial plexus and phrenic nerve injury.
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Frequently asked questions
The omohyoid muscle is a muscle in the neck with two bellies: the inferior belly and the superior belly. It is a muscular connection between the upper shoulder and the anterior neck.
The primary function of the omohyoid muscle is to depress the hyoid bone, which aids in the actions of chewing and swallowing.
Omohyoid muscle syndrome (OMS) is a rare condition that presents as a protruding X-shaped lateral neck mass when swallowing. It is often caused by strenuous activities that put pressure on the neck and shoulder muscles, such as mixed martial arts.
You can release tension in the omohyoid muscle by performing neck toning exercises that strengthen the muscle and improve flexibility. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and slowly arch your neck forward and backward, keeping your movements slow and fluid.
Treatment options for omohyoid syndrome include myofascial release, post-isometric contraction-relaxation stretching, pre-modulated electrical stimulation, and cold packs. In some cases, corrective cosmetic surgery may be recommended if there is a concern for cosmetic deformity. Additionally, pain management approaches are discussed by Waldman in his book, "Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes".
