
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located in the neck, superior to the hyoid bone. They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles. These muscles connect the hyoid bone to the mandible and the skull base, forming the floor of the oral cavity. They play a crucial role in chewing, swallowing, and speech, and are therefore also referred to as accessory muscles of mastication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Group | Four muscles |
| Location | Superior to the hyoid bone |
| Function | Positioning the hyoid bone, coordinating movements of the floor of the mouth, chewing, swallowing, and speech |
| Muscles | Digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, stylohyoid, hyoglossus, and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle |
| Blood Supply | Branches of the facial artery, with the occipital and lingual arteries also contributing |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located above the hyoid bone
- They play a role in chewing, swallowing, and speech
- They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles
- They are also referred to as accessory muscles of mastication
- They are considered secondary muscles of mastication

The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located above the hyoid bone
The four suprahyoid muscles are the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles. They connect the hyoid bone to the mandible and the base of the skull, forming the floor of the oral cavity. The digastric muscle, for example, consists of two parts, which are separated by an intermediate tendon. The anterior belly originates from the digastric fossa of the mandible, while the posterior belly originates from the mastoid notch of the temporal bone.
The main combined function of the suprahyoid muscles is to elevate the hyoid and larynx and move them superiorly and anteriorly. They also help to coordinate the movements of the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone during swallowing and vocalization. In combination with the infrahyoid muscles, they are responsible for the positioning of the hyoid bone. The infrahyoid muscles stabilize the hyoid bone so that the suprahyoid muscles have a firm base to assist with the depression of the mandible.
The suprahyoid muscles are also referred to as accessory muscles of mastication due to their contribution during chewing. They are considered secondary muscles of mastication, along with the infrahyoid muscles.
Understanding Muscle Tears: Causes and Prevention
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$75.99

They play a role in chewing, swallowing, and speech
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located superior to the hyoid bone. They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles. These muscles form the floor of the mouth and play a crucial role in chewing, swallowing, and speech.
During chewing, the suprahyoid muscles are active and assist in bolus formation during mastication. The harder the food, the longer the chewing duration. The chewing rate and suprahyoid activity are typically higher when chewing softer foods, such as rice crackers. The suprahyoid muscles also work in conjunction with the masseter muscles during the chewing process.
In terms of swallowing, the suprahyoid muscles are responsible for coordinating the movements of the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone. They work together with the infrahyoid muscles to position the hyoid bone during swallowing. Ultrasound assessments have been used to evaluate the function and dynamics of these muscles during swallowing.
The suprahyoid muscles also contribute to speech and vocalization. They help to coordinate the movements of the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone during vocalization. The stylohyoid muscle, in particular, plays a role in keeping the pharynx open during inspiration by tensing the floor of the mouth. This action likely aids in speech production as well.
Fasted Training: Muscle Loss or Effective Fat Burn?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located superior to the hyoid bone. They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles. These muscles are responsible for positioning the hyoid bone and coordinating the movements of the floor of the mouth during swallowing or vocalization.
The digastric muscle consists of two parts, separated by an intermediate tendon. The anterior belly originates from the digastric fossa of the mandible, while the posterior belly originates from the mastoid notch of the temporal bone. The digastric muscle is involved in any complex jaw action, such as speaking, swallowing, chewing, and breathing.
The mylohyoid muscle, also known as the diaphragma oris, is a paired muscle of the neck. It runs from the mandible to the hyoid bone, forming the floor of the oral cavity of the mouth. The two mylohyoid muscles arise from the mandible at the mylohyoid line and insert at the anterior surface of the hyoid bone. The mylohyoid muscle elevates the hyoid bone and the tongue, which is crucial during swallowing and speaking.
The geniohyoid muscle is a narrow, paired muscle that arises from the inferior mental spine and runs backward and slightly downward to insert into the anterior surface of the hyoid bone. It brings the hyoid bone forward and upwards, dilating the upper airway and assisting respiration.
The stylohyoid muscle originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts onto the hyoid bone. It acts to draw the hyoid bone upwards and backwards, retracting and lengthening the floor of the mouth. The stylohyoid muscle also helps to keep the pharynx open during inspiration by tensing the floor of the mouth.
Brain Anatomy: Unveiling the Muscle Mystery
You may want to see also
Explore related products

They are also referred to as accessory muscles of mastication
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located superior to the hyoid bone. They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles. These muscles connect the hyoid bone to the mandible and the skull's base, forming the floor of the oral cavity. They play a crucial role in positioning the hyoid bone and coordinating the movements of the mouth floor and the hyoid bone during swallowing, vocalization, and chewing.
The suprahyoid muscles are also referred to as accessory muscles of mastication due to their contribution to the mastication process. Mastication, or chewing, is facilitated by the muscles of mastication, a group of muscles responsible for the chewing movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint. These muscles enhance eating by assisting in grinding food and approximating the teeth. While the primary muscles of mastication are responsible for the chewing movement, the secondary or accessory muscles also play a role in this process.
The suprahyoid muscles, as secondary muscles of mastication, contribute to the depression of the mandible and the subsequent opening of the mouth, movement of the tongue, swallowing, and speaking. They work in conjunction with the infrahyoid muscles, which stabilize the hyoid bone to provide a firm base for the suprahyoid muscles to assist in depressing the mandible. This coordination between the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles ensures effective mastication.
The specific functions of the individual muscles within the suprahyoid group also support mastication. For example, the digastric muscle assists in swallowing, speech, and mastication. It aids in depressing the mandible when the hyoid bone is fixed and elevating the hyoid bone when the mandible is fixed. The mylohyoid muscle elevates the hyoid bone and the floor of the mouth, while the geniohyoid muscle assists in depressing the mandible. Additionally, the stylohyoid muscle elevates and retracts the hyoid bone, contributing to the retraction and lengthening of the mouth floor.
Research has further explored the functional role of suprahyoid muscles in bolus formation during mastication. Studies have found a positive correlation between suprahyoid activity and jaw gape during mastication, particularly in the early stages. The suprahyoid muscles are dominantly activated in the late stage of mastication, possibly to alter bolus properties by mixing it with saliva. These findings highlight the dynamic involvement of the suprahyoid muscles throughout the mastication process, justifying their classification as accessory muscles of mastication.
Muscle Knots and Blood Clots: What's the Real Difference?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

They are considered secondary muscles of mastication
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located superior to the hyoid bone. They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles. These muscles attach to the superior aspect of the hyoid bone and play a role in altering the size and shape of the upper airways. They also contribute to the floor of the mouth, positioning the hyoid bone, and coordinating the movements of the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone during swallowing or vocalization.
The suprahyoid muscles are considered secondary muscles of mastication due to their contribution during the chewing process. They assist in depressing the mandible, which results in the opening of the mouth, and they also function during the grinding of food. This is achieved through the combined action of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles. The infrahyoid muscles stabilize the hyoid bone, providing a firm base for the suprahyoid muscles to assist in depressing the mandible.
The role of the suprahyoid muscles in mastication has been studied using various foods, such as peanuts and rice crackers with different hardness levels. It was found that the harder the food, the longer the masticatory duration, and the higher the number of masticatory cycles. The suprahyoid muscles showed higher activity during the mastication of soft rice crackers, especially in the late stage of the process, indicating their importance in bolus formation.
The suprahyoid muscles also have other functions, including swallowing and speech. The stylohyoid muscle, for example, helps to keep the pharynx open during inspiration by tensing the floor of the mouth. The understanding of the functions of these muscles is essential in designing treatments for conditions such as upper airway obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
Developing 40 Muscles: Unlocking Your Ultimate Strength Potential
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located above the hyoid bone. They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles.
The suprahyoid muscles work with the infrahyoid muscles to position the hyoid bone and coordinate movements of the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone during swallowing and vocalization. They also play a role in chewing and speech.
The primary function of the stylohyoid muscle is to elevate the hyoid bone and draw it back, resulting in the retraction and lengthening of the floor of the mouth.
The suprahyoid muscles lie above the hyoid bone, while the infrahyoid muscles lie beneath it. The suprahyoid muscles depress the mandible when the infrahyoid muscles contract, and they elevate the hyoid bone when the mandible is fixed.
You can use the mnemonic "My Gut Seems Damaged" to remember the four muscles: Mylohyoid, Geniohyoid, Stylohyoid, and Digastric.











































