
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles located inferior to the hyoid bone in the neck. They are also known as strap muscles due to their long, flat shape. The infrahyoid muscles include the omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid muscles. These muscles are responsible for the positioning of the hyoid bone and play a crucial role in swallowing, speech, and the movement of the larynx. They are innervated by the ansa cervicalis, except for the thyrohyoid muscle, which is innervated by the first cervical spinal nerve.
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What You'll Learn
- Infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles
- They are located inferiorly to the hyoid bone in the neck
- They play a role in speech, swallowing and movement of the larynx
- Infrahyoid muscles include omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid and thyrohyoid
- They can be divided into two groups: superficial and deep plane

Infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles
The omohyoid muscle is found deep in the sternocleidomastoid and consists of two bellies—the superior and inferior—united by an intermediate tendon. It originates from the upper border of the scapula and inserts into the lower border of the hyoid bone. The omohyoid is involved in maintaining low pressure in the internal jugular vein by pulling on the carotid sheath, thus increasing blood return from the head to the superior vena cava.
The sternohyoid muscle is the most superficial of all the infrahyoid muscles. It originates from the sternum, sternoclavicular joint, and clavicle, and inserts onto the hyoid bone. It functions to depress the hyoid bone from an elevated position.
The sternothyroid muscle is located underneath the sternohyoid in the deep plane of the neck. It arises from the manubrium of the sternum and attaches to the thyroid cartilage, depressing it.
The thyrohyoid muscle is a short band of muscle that constitutes the continuation of the sternothyroid. It originates at the oblique line of thyroid cartilage and inserts onto the hyoid bone. When the hyoid bone is fixed, the thyrohyoid elevates the larynx, while the sternothyroid depresses it.
Together with the suprahyoid muscle group, the infrahyoid muscles are responsible for several functions related to speech, swallowing, and the movement of the larynx by controlling the positioning of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage.
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They are located inferiorly to the hyoid bone in the neck
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles located inferiorly to the hyoid bone in the neck. They are also referred to as ""strap muscles"" due to their long and flat shape, resembling a strap. These muscles are crucial for several functions, including speech, swallowing, and the movement of the larynx, by controlling the positioning of the hyoid bone.
The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles. They are organised into two layers or planes: the superficial plane and the deep plane. The sternohyoid and omohyoid muscles are located in the superficial plane, while the sternothyroid and thyrohyoid muscles are situated in the deep plane.
The sternohyoid muscle, being the most superficial of the infrahyoid muscles, originates from the sternum and sternoclavicular joint. It ascends to insert onto the hyoid bone and functions to depress it. The omohyoid muscle, also found in the superficial plane, consists of two bellies: the superior and inferior. These bellies are connected by a muscular tendon, with the superior belly arising from the hyoid bone and the inferior belly originating from the scapula.
In the deep plane of the neck, the sternothyroid muscle is located just underneath the sternohyoid muscle. It arises from the manubrium of the sternum and attaches to the thyroid cartilage. The thyrohyoid muscle, a short band of muscle, is thought to be a continuation of the sternothyroid muscle. It originates at the oblique line of thyroid cartilage and inserts onto the hyoid bone.
The infrahyoid muscles work in conjunction with the suprahyoid muscles, which lie above the hyoid bone. When the infrahyoid muscles contract, they depress the hyoid bone, allowing the suprahyoid muscles to contract and depress the mandible. This coordination between the infrahyoid and suprahyoid muscles is essential for swallowing and speech, stabilising the trachea and facilitating the movement of the larynx.
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They play a role in speech, swallowing and movement of the larynx
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles located inferior to the hyoid bone in the neck. They are also referred to as "strap muscles" due to their long and flat shape, resembling a strap. These muscles include the omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid.
The infrahyoid muscles play a crucial role in speech, swallowing, and movement of the larynx. Firstly, they are responsible for controlling the positioning of the hyoid bone and the thyroid cartilage during vocalization. This movement of the hyoid bone is essential for swallowing and speech production. When the infrahyoid muscles contract, they depress the hyoid bone, allowing the suprahyoid muscles to contract and depress the mandible. This coordination between the infrahyoid and suprahyoid muscles helps stabilize the trachea and facilitates the act of swallowing.
Secondly, the infrahyoid muscles also contribute to the movement of the larynx. The sternothyroid depresses the larynx, while the thyrohyoid elevates it when the hyoid bone is stabilized. This movement of the larynx is particularly important during speech, especially when singing high notes. The thyrohyoid muscle pulls the larynx upwards, which is crucial for producing higher-pitched sounds.
Additionally, the omohyoid muscle, one of the infrahyoid muscles, has a unique function due to its attachment to the carotid sheath. By pulling on the sheath, the omohyoid muscle helps maintain low pressure in the internal jugular vein, thereby increasing the return of blood from the head to the superior vena cava.
In summary, the infrahyoid muscles are essential for speech, swallowing, and larynx movement due to their role in controlling the position of the hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, and larynx. Their coordination with the suprahyoid muscles and their individual functions contribute to the complex processes of vocalization, deglutition, and laryngeal elevation.
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Infrahyoid muscles include omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid and thyrohyoid
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located inferior to the hyoid bone in the neck. They are also known as "strap muscles" due to their long and flat shape, resembling a strap. The infrahyoid muscles include the omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid muscles.
The omohyoid muscle is found deep in the sternocleidomastoid and consists of two bellies: the superior and inferior. These bellies are united at an angle by an intermediate tendon. The superior belly arises from the hyoid bone, while the inferior belly arises from the scapula. The omohyoid has an important function due to its attachment to the carotid sheath. By pulling the sheath, it maintains low pressure in the internal jugular vein, increasing blood return from the head to the superior vena cava.
The sternohyoid muscle is located in the superficial plane of the neck, along with the omohyoid muscle. It originates from the sternum and sternoclavicular joint and ascends to insert into the hyoid bone. The sternohyoid is the most superficial of all the infrahyoid muscles. It functions to depress the hyoid bone from an elevated position.
The sternothyroid muscle is a wide muscle located underneath the sternohyoid in the deep plane of the neck. It arises from the manubrium of the sternum and attaches to the thyroid cartilage. The sternothyroid depresses the thyroid cartilage and the larynx.
The thyrohyoid muscle is a short band of muscle, thought to be a continuation of the sternothyroid. It originates at the oblique line of thyroid cartilage and inserts onto the inferior border of the hyoid bone. When the hyoid bone is fixed, the thyrohyoid elevates the larynx, which is important for singing high notes.
Together, the infrahyoid muscles, along with the suprahyoid muscle group, are responsible for several functions related to speech, swallowing, and the movement of the larynx. They control the positioning of the hyoid bone, with all infrahyoid muscles (except the sternothyroid) depressing the hyoid bone.
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They can be divided into two groups: superficial and deep plane
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles located in the anterior part of the neck, inferior to the hyoid bone. They are also known as "strap muscles" due to their long and flat shape, resembling a strap. These muscles play an important role in several functions, including speech, swallowing, and the movement of the larynx, by controlling the positioning of the hyoid bone.
The infrahyoid muscles can be divided into two groups: the superficial plane and the deep plane. The superficial plane includes the omohyoid and sternohyoid muscles. The omohyoid muscle is found deep in the sternocleidomastoid and consists of two bellies: the superior and inferior, which are united by an intermediate tendon. The inferior belly originates at the superior border of the scapula, while the superior belly inserts into the lower border of the hyoid bone. The sternohyoid muscle, the most superficial of all infrahyoid muscles, originates from the sternum and sternoclavicular joint and inserts onto the hyoid bone. It functions to depress the hyoid bone.
The deep plane of the infrahyoid muscles includes the sternothyroid and thyrohyoid muscles. The sternothyroid muscle is located underneath the sternohyoid in the deep plane of the neck. It arises from the manubrium of the sternum and attaches to the thyroid cartilage, depressing it. The thyrohyoid muscle is a short band of muscle that constitutes the continuation of the sternothyroid. It originates at the oblique line of thyroid cartilage and inserts onto the hyoid bone. Unlike other infrahyoid muscles, the thyrohyoid is innervated by nerve fibers from the anterior ramus of spinal nerve C1, via the hypoglossal nerve.
The arterial supply to the infrahyoid muscles is provided by the superior and inferior thyroid arteries, and venous drainage occurs via the corresponding veins. These muscles are innervated by the ansa cervicalis, except for the thyrohyoid muscle, which has a unique innervation. The infrahyoid muscles work together with the suprahyoid muscles to control the positioning of the hyoid bone and the functions associated with it.
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Frequently asked questions
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles located inferiorly to the hyoid bone in the neck.
The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles.
The infrahyoid muscles are responsible for the positioning of the hyoid bone and the movement of the larynx during swallowing and speech.
The suprahyoid muscles lie above the hyoid bone, while the infrahyoid muscles lie beneath it. The suprahyoid muscles depress the mandible, while the infrahyoid muscles depress the hyoid bone.
Damage to the infrahyoid muscles can result in difficulty swallowing, hoarseness in the voice, or throat tightness.











































