
The thyrohyoid muscle is a small, quadrilateral muscle found in the anterior triangle of the neck. It is one of four infrahyoid muscles, along with the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid muscles. The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, which carries motor fibres to the muscle. These fibres originate from the hypoglossal nucleus, which consists of a longitudinal arrangement of neurons lying beneath the floor of the fourth ventricle. The primary function of the thyrohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and larynx, and it also plays a role in elevating the larynx when the hyoid bone is fixed, aiding in swallowing and vocalisation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Innervated by | A branch of the cervical plexus |
| The nerve to thyrohyoid muscle (thyrohyoid branch of ansa cervicalis) | |
| Fibres of the cervical spinal nerve 1 (C1) | |
| Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) | |
| Superior thyroid artery | |
| Lingual artery | |
| Function | Depresses and fixates the hyoid bone |
| Elevates the larynx during swallowing | |
| Controls the position and shape of the larynx | |
| Aids in making sound | |
| Type | Infrahyoid muscle of the neck |
| One of four members of the group of muscles known as the infrahyoid muscles |
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What You'll Learn
- The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve
- The nerve to the thyrohyoid muscle is formed by fibres of the cervical spinal nerve 1 (C1)
- The thyrohyoid is the only infrahyoid muscle not innervated by the ansa cervicalis
- The thyrohyoid muscle is supplied with arterial blood by the superior thyroid artery
- The thyrohyoid muscle depresses and fixates the hyoid bone

The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve
The thyrohyoid muscle is a small, quadrilateral-shaped infrahyoid muscle of the neck. It is the only infrahyoid muscle that is not innervated by the ansa cervicalis. Instead, it is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve.
The nerve to the thyrohyoid muscle is formed by fibres of the cervical spinal nerve 1 (C1) and, according to some sources, cervical spinal nerve 2 (C2). These fibres join and travel with the hypoglossal nerve before separating from it distal to the superior root of the ansa cervicalis. The hypoglossal nerve carries motor fibres to the thyrohyoid, hyoglossus, styloglossus, genioglossus, and geniohyoid muscles.
The thyrohyoid muscle originates from the thyroid cartilage of the larynx and ascends to attach to the hyoid bone. Its primary function is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and larynx, although it may also raise the larynx when the hyoid bone is fixed. This helps with swallowing and controlling the position and shape of the larynx, which aids in making sound.
The thyrohyoid muscle is supplied with arterial blood by branches of the superior thyroid artery and the lingual artery. It is located deep to the superior belly of the sternohyoid and omohyoid muscles.
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The nerve to the thyrohyoid muscle is formed by fibres of the cervical spinal nerve 1 (C1)
The thyrohyoid muscle is a small, quadrilateral muscle found in the anterior triangle of the neck. It originates from the oblique line of the lamina of the thyroid cartilage, where the sternothyroid ends. The muscle passes upwards from its origin on the thyroid cartilage to insert onto the greater horn of the hyoid bone. The thyrohyoid muscle is the only infrahyoid muscle that is not innervated via the ansa cervicalis.
The primary function of the thyrohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and larynx. When the hyoid bone is fixed, the muscle raises the larynx, which is important for vocalists trying to hit high notes. The thyrohyoid muscle also receives its blood supply from branches of the superior thyroid artery and the lingual artery.
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The thyrohyoid is the only infrahyoid muscle not innervated by the ansa cervicalis
The thyrohyoid muscle is one of the infrahyoid muscles of the neck. It is a small, quadrilateral muscle found in the anterior triangle of the neck. It is located in the deep plane of the neck, along with the sternothyroid muscle. It originates from the thyroid cartilage of the larynx and ascends to attach to the hyoid bone. The primary function of the thyrohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and larynx, although it may also raise the larynx when the hyoid bone is fixed. This helps in swallowing and is important for vocalists who try to hit high notes.
The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by a branch of the cervical plexus - the nerve to thyrohyoid muscle (thyrohyoid branch of ansa cervicalis) - which is formed by fibres of the cervical spinal nerve 1 (C1) and, according to some sources, cervical spinal nerve 2 (C2) as well. These fibres join and travel with the hypoglossal nerve before splitting away from it distal to the superior root of ansa cervicalis.
Unlike the other infrahyoid muscles, the thyrohyoid muscle is not innervated by the ansa cervicalis. Instead, nerve fibres from the anterior rami of the first cervical spinal nerve (C1) reach the muscle via the hypoglossal nerve. This nerve is often referred to as the nerve to thyrohyoid.
The thyrohyoid muscle is provided with arterial blood by branches of the superior thyroid artery and of the lingual artery. It forms the inferior boundary of the carotid triangle and is situated deep to the superior belly of the sternohyoid muscle and the superior portion of the omohyoid muscle.
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The thyrohyoid muscle is supplied with arterial blood by the superior thyroid artery
The thyrohyoid muscle is a small, quadrilateral-shaped muscle found in the anterior triangle of the neck. It is one of four infrahyoid muscles, along with the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid muscles. The thyrohyoid is innervated by the nerve to thyrohyoid muscle (thyrohyoid branch of ansa cervicalis), which is formed by fibres of the cervical spinal nerve 1 (C1) and, according to some sources, cervical spinal nerve 2 (C2). These nerves join and travel with the hypoglossal nerve before separating from it distal to the superior root of ansa cervicalis.
The primary function of the thyrohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and larynx, although it may also elevate the larynx when the hyoid bone is fixed. This muscle controls the position and shape of the larynx, aiding in swallowing and producing sound.
The thyrohyoid muscle is located in the deep plane of the neck, beneath the superior belly of the sternohyoid and omohyoid muscles. It originates from the thyroid cartilage of the larynx and ascends to attach to the hyoid bone.
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The thyrohyoid muscle depresses and fixates the hyoid bone
The thyrohyoid muscle is a small skeletal muscle of the neck. It is one of the infrahyoid muscles, which are responsible for the positioning of the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone is a small, U-shaped bone located in the anterior neck, between the chin and the thyroid cartilage.
The thyrohyoid muscle originates from the thyroid cartilage of the larynx and ascends to attach to the hyoid bone. Specifically, it arises from the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage and attaches to the inferior border of the body and greater horn (or cornu) of the hyoid bone.
One of the primary functions of the thyrohyoid muscle is to depress and fixate the hyoid bone. This movement is often coordinated with other infrahyoid muscles, which also help to depress the hyoid bone. This action is particularly important after swallowing, when the position of the hyoid bone needs to be adjusted.
Additionally, the thyrohyoid muscle plays a role in elevating the larynx, especially when the hyoid bone is stabilized by the suprahyoid muscles. This function is crucial for vocalists as it helps them to hit high notes. The thyrohyoid muscle controls the position and shape of the larynx, which aids in sound production.
The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by the nerve to thyrohyoid muscle, also known as the thyrohyoid branch of the ansa cervicalis. This nerve is formed by fibres from the first cervical spinal nerve (C1) and, according to some sources, also the second cervical spinal nerve (C2). These fibres travel with the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) before branching off to innervate the thyrohyoid muscle.
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Frequently asked questions
The thyrohyoid muscles are innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
The hypoglossal nerve carries motor fibres to the thyrohyoid muscle.
The thyrohyoid muscle has two major functions. Firstly, it depresses the hyoid bone. Secondly, when the hyoid bone is fixed, it elevates the larynx, which is important for vocalists trying to hit high notes.











































