
The infrahyoid muscles, also known as strap muscles, are a group of four paired muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. They are located below the hyoid bone and are involved in movements of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage during vocalization, swallowing and mastication. The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid and omohyoid muscles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles | 4 |
| Muscle names | Sternohyoid, Sternothyroid, Thyrohyoid, Omohyoid |
| Location | Inferior to the hyoid bone in the neck |
| Muscle layers | Superficial plane, Deep plane |
| Superficial plane muscles | Omohyoid, Sternohyoid |
| Deep plane muscles | Sternothyroid, Thyrohyoid |
| Function | Elevate and depress the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing and speech |
| Innervation | Ansa cervicalis, Hypoglossal nerve |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Infrahyoid muscles are involved in swallowing and speech
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. They are also referred to as "strap muscles" due to their long and flat shape, which resembles a strap. These muscles are located inferiorly to the hyoid bone in the neck, specifically in the area below the hyoid bone within the muscular triangle.
The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles. The sternothyroid muscle does not directly connect to the hyoid bone but is included in this group because it influences the movement of the hyoid bone and works in conjunction with the other muscles. The omohyoid muscle, found deep in the sternocleidomastoid, consists of two bellies (superior and inferior) united by an intermediate tendon.
The infrahyoid muscles function to elevate and depress the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing and speech. They are involved in movements of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage during vocalization, swallowing, and mastication. The thyrohyoid muscle, for example, moves the thyroid cartilage superiorly and anteriorly, while the sternothyroid depresses the larynx.
The infrahyoid muscles receive a complex pattern of innervation. Three of these muscles (sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid) are innervated by the ansa cervicalis, a nerve loop formed by axons exiting the spinal cord within the ventral rami of C1 to C3. The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by fibres from the first cervical spinal nerve travelling with the hypoglossal nerve.
Muscle Inflammation: Causes and Triggers Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products

They are also known as strap muscles
The infrahyoid muscles are also known as strap muscles because of their long, flat, strap-like shape. They are a group of four paired muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck, below the hyoid bone. They are responsible for depressing the hyoid bone during swallowing and speech.
The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles. The sternothyroid muscle does not directly connect to the hyoid bone but is included in this group because it influences the movement of the hyoid bone and works in conjunction with the other muscles in this group. The omohyoid muscle is found deep in the sternocleidomastoid and consists of two bellies (superior and inferior) united at an angle by an intermediate tendon. The thyrohyoid muscle is a short band of muscle, thought to be a continuation of the sternothyroid muscle.
The infrahyoid muscles can be divided into two groups: the superficial plane, which includes the omohyoid and sternohyoid muscles, and the deep plane, which includes the sternothyroid and thyrohyoid muscles. These muscles attach to the superior aspect of the hyoid bone, and their main function is to elevate the hyoid and larynx and move them superiorly and anteriorly. The thyrohyoid muscle moves the thyroid ala superiorly and anteriorly, while the sternothyroid depresses the larynx.
The infrahyoid muscles are innervated by the ansa cervicalis from the cervical plexus (C1-C3), except for the thyrohyoid muscle, which is innervated by fibres from the first cervical spinal nerve travelling with the hypoglossal nerve. The arterial supply to the infrahyoid muscles is via the superior and inferior thyroid arteries, with venous drainage via the corresponding veins.
Standing to Build Muscle: Is It Effective?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

They are divided into superficial and deep planes
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. They are located below the hyoid bone, to which they are attached, and are involved in movements of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage during vocalization, swallowing and mastication.
The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid and omohyoid muscles. These 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 (superior and inferior) united at an angle by an intermediate tendon. It begins at the intermediate tendon and inserts into the lower border of the hyoid bone. The sternohyoid muscle originates from the sternum and sternoclavicular joint and ascends to insert onto the hyoid bone.
The deep plane includes the sternothyroid and thyrohyoid muscles. The sternothyroid muscle is located underneath the sternohyoid. It arises from the manubrium of the sternum and attaches to the thyroid cartilage. When contracted, it depresses the thyroid cartilage, which is the main cartilage of the larynx. The thyrohyoid muscle is a short band of muscle, thought to be a continuation of the sternothyroid muscle. It moves the thyroid ala superiorly and anteriorly.
How Ellipticals Can Enhance Your Glutes
You may want to see also
Explore related products

They are innervated by the ansa cervicalis
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. They are also referred to as "strap muscles" due to their long and flat shape, which resembles a strap. These muscles are located below the hyoid bone, to which the term "infrahyoid" refers.
The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles. The sternothyroid muscle does not directly connect to the hyoid bone but is included in this group of muscles because it influences the movement of the hyoid bone and works in conjunction with the other muscles in this group.
The infrahyoid muscles function to elevate and depress the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing and speech. They receive their arterial supply from the superior and inferior thyroid arteries, with venous drainage via the corresponding veins.
Now, focusing on the topic of innervation: the infrahyoid muscles have a complex pattern of innervation. Three of these muscles—the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid—are innervated by the ansa cervicalis. The ansa cervicalis is a nerve loop formed by axons exiting the spinal cord within the ventral rami of C1 to C3 and then joining the cervical plexus. Specifically, these three muscles are innervated by anterior rami of C1-C3, carried by a branch of the ansa cervicalis.
The omohyoid muscle, in particular, is innervated by the superior ramus of the ansa cervicalis, in addition to the hypoglossal nerve. It is important to note that the omohyoid muscle can vary anatomically, as it may be absent or double, and it can be fused with the sternohyoid muscle in some cases.
The remaining infrahyoid muscle, the thyrohyoid, is an exception to the others, as it is innervated by fibres from the first cervical spinal nerve (C1) travelling with the hypoglossal nerve. This innervation pattern is shared by one of the suprahyoid muscles, the geniohyoid, which is also innervated by C1 axons travelling with the hypoglossal nerve.
Exploring the Fascinating Link Between Muscle and Skin
You may want to see also
Explore related products

They are located in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four paired muscles located in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. They are also known as "strap muscles", which refers to their long and flat shape. The infrahyoid muscles are located inferiorly to the hyoid bone, and the term "infrahyoid" refers specifically to the region below this bone. These muscles are involved in movements of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage during vocalization, swallowing and mastication.
The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles. The sternohyoid muscle is located in the superficial plane of the neck, along with the omohyoid muscle. The sternothyroid and thyrohyoid muscles are located in the deep plane of the neck. The omohyoid muscle is found deep in the sternocleidomastoid and consists of two bellies (superior and inferior) united by an intermediate tendon.
The infrahyoid muscles function to elevate and depress the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing and speech. They attach to the superior aspect of the hyoid bone, and their contraction pulls the hyoid bone inferiorly. The thyrohyoid muscle moves the thyroid ala superiorly and anteriorly, while the sternothyroid depresses the larynx. The sternothyroid muscle does not directly connect to the hyoid bone but is included in this group of muscles because it influences the movement of the hyoid bone and works in conjunction with the other muscles.
Unlocking the Mystery of Hip Abductor Muscles
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four pairs of muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. They are also known as "strap muscles" due to their long and flat shape.
The infrahyoid muscles are located inferiorly to the hyoid bone in the neck, within the muscular triangle.
The infrahyoid muscles function to elevate and depress the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing, speech, and mastication.
The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles.
Three of the infrahyoid muscles (sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid) are innervated by the ansa cervicalis. The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by fibres from the first cervical spinal nerve travelling with the hypoglossal nerve.











































