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The omohyoid muscle is a muscle in the anterior region of the neck. It is one of the infrahyoid muscles, which are responsible for the positioning of the hyoid bone and the larynx. The omohyoid muscle consists of two bellies, the superior and inferior bellies, which are connected by an intermediate tendon. The primary function of the omohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and larynx, which reestablishes breathing after swallowing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Anterior region of the neck |
| Muscle Group | Infrahyoid muscles |
| Muscle Structure | Two bellies (superior and inferior) connected by an intermediate tendon |
| Function | Depresses the hyoid bone and larynx, reestablishes breathing after swallowing, maintains low pressure in the internal jugular vein |
| Innervation | Ansa cervicalis of the cervical plexus (C1-C3 spinal nerves) |
| Blood Supply | Superior thyroid artery (branch of external carotid artery), inferior thyroid artery (branch of thyrocervical trunk) |
| Surgical Landmark | Yes, for identifying the carotid artery and internal jugular vein |
| Variability | May be doubled, absent, or fused with the sternohyoid muscle in some individuals |
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What You'll Learn
The omohyoid muscle is an infrahyoid muscle of the neck
The omohyoid muscle is an infrahyoid muscle located in the anterior region of the neck. It is one of four infrahyoid muscles, the others being the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid. The omohyoid muscle consists of two bellies, the superior and inferior bellies, which are connected by an intermediate tendon. The superior belly originates from the hyoid bone, while the inferior belly arises from the scapula. The intermediate tendon is anchored to the clavicle and first rib by a band of deep cervical fascia, which acts as a sling to maintain the angle of the muscle.
The primary function of the omohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and underlying larynx. It also plays a role in reopening the laryngeal inlet after swallowing, thereby reestablishing breathing. This muscle is responsible for pulling the hyoid bone and larynx downwards during phonation and in the terminal phase of swallowing. Additionally, the omohyoid muscle is involved in maintaining low pressure in the internal jugular vein by tensing the carotid sheath.
The omohyoid muscle receives its innervation from the ansa cervicalis of the cervical plexus, specifically from the anterior rami of C1-C3 spinal nerves. The superior belly is innervated by the superior root of ansa cervicalis (C1), while the inferior belly receives input from spinal nerves C1, C2, and C3. The muscle's arterial blood supply comes from the superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, and the inferior thyroid artery, a branch of the thyrocervical trunk.
The omohyoid muscle forms the borders of important triangles in the neck, such as the occipital triangle and the supraclavicular triangle. The muscle's superior belly divides the anterior triangle into the carotid triangle and the muscular triangle. The intermediate tendon of the omohyoid muscle is also significant as it overlies the internal jugular vein and is sometimes used as a surgical landmark for this vein.
The omohyoid muscle is a paired muscle, and in some individuals, it may be doubled or even completely absent. The superior belly can occasionally fuse with the sternohyoid muscle, sharing a common attachment. The omohyoid muscle is also associated with omohyoid syndrome, a condition treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or injections of trigger points in the inferior belly of the muscle.
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It consists of two bellies, superior and inferior
The omohyoid muscle is a muscle in the neck that consists of two bellies, the superior and inferior bellies, joined by an intermediate tendon. The superior belly arises from the hyoid bone, while the inferior belly arises from the scapula. The intermediate tendon is variable in length and form, and the amount of muscle tissue it contains can also vary. It is anchored to the clavicle and first rib by a band of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the tendon. This fascial fixation maintains the angle of the muscle.
The omohyoid muscle is an infrahyoid muscle, which means it is involved in depressing the hyoid bone and larynx, and reestablishing breathing following the act of swallowing. The superior belly of the omohyoid muscle forms the borders of two important triangles in the neck: the occipital triangle and the supraclavicular triangle. The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle divides the posterior triangle of the neck into an occipital triangle (above) and a subclavian triangle (below).
The omohyoid muscle is innervated by the ansa cervicalis of the cervical plexus, which receives fibres from the ventral rami of C1-C3 spinal nerves. The superior belly is innervated by the superior root of ansa cervicalis (C1), while the inferior belly receives fibres from spinal nerves C1, C2, and C3. The omohyoid muscle receives its arterial blood supply from the superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, and the inferior thyroid artery, a branch of the thyrocervical trunk.
The omohyoid muscle is located slightly lateral and deep to the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, approximately 3/4 to 1 inch above the superior margin of the clavicle. The intermediate tendon of the omohyoid muscle lies over the internal jugular vein and can be used as a landmark for this vein during surgery.
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The omohyoid muscle is innervated by the ansa cervicalis
The omohyoid muscle is a paired muscle located in the anterior region of the neck. It is one of the four infrahyoid muscles, along with the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid muscles. The omohyoid muscle consists of two bellies, an inferior and a superior belly, joined by an intermediate tendon. The inferior belly is attached to the scapula, while the superior belly is attached to the hyoid bone.
The superior and inferior bellies of the omohyoid muscle are innervated by separate nerves of the ansa cervicalis. The superior belly is innervated by the superior root of the ansa cervicalis (C1), while the inferior belly receives fibers from spinal nerves C1, C2, and C3. The primary function of the omohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and underlying larynx, though it also has a role in phonation and swallowing.
The omohyoid muscle is clinically significant due to its proximity to significant neurovascular structures and its relationship with the great vessels of the neck. It also plays a role in maintaining low pressure in the internal jugular vein by tensing the carotid sheath. Additionally, the intermediate tendon of the omohyoid muscle can be used as a surgical landmark for the carotid artery or internal jugular vein.
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It functions to depress the hyoid bone and larynx
The omohyoid muscle is an infrahyoid muscle of the neck. It consists of two muscular bellies: the superior belly and the inferior belly, which are connected by an intermediate tendon. The omohyoid muscle functions to depress the hyoid bone and larynx.
The superior belly of the omohyoid muscle originates from the hyoid bone, while the inferior belly arises from the scapula. The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle is attached to the scapula, specifically at its superior border, near the scapular notch. The intermediate tendon is variable in length and form and contains a variable amount of muscle tissue. It is anchored inferiorly to the clavicle and first rib by a band of deep cervical fascia. This fascial fixation maintains the angle of the muscle.
The omohyoid muscle depresses the hyoid bone, particularly when it is in an elevated position. This action helps to reopen the laryngeal inlet, which is normally closed during swallowing to prevent inhalation of food. By depressing the hyoid bone, the omohyoid muscle also indirectly depresses the larynx, as the hyoid bone and larynx are closely connected. This downward movement of the larynx during swallowing reestablishes breathing.
The omohyoid muscle is innervated by the ansa cervicalis, which arises from the cervical plexus. The superior belly of the omohyoid muscle is innervated by the superior root of ansa cervicalis (C1), while the inferior belly receives fibres from spinal nerves C1, C2, and C3. The omohyoid muscle receives its arterial blood supply from the superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, and the inferior thyroid artery, a branch of the thyrocervical trunk.
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The omohyoid muscle is involved in maintaining venous return to the heart
The omohyoid muscle is an infrahyoid muscle located in the anterior region of the neck. It consists of two bellies, the superior and inferior, connected by an intermediate tendon. The superior belly arises from the hyoid bone, while the inferior belly arises from the scapula. The tendon is anchored to the clavicle and first rib by a band of deep cervical fascia, which maintains the angle of the muscle.
The omohyoid muscle plays a crucial role in depressing and fixing the hyoid bone and underlying larynx. During swallowing, the hyoid bone is elevated, and the omohyoid muscle helps to depress it, reopening the laryngeal inlet and reestablishing breathing. This muscle also has a significant role in maintaining venous return to the heart.
The intermediate tendon of the omohyoid muscle lies over the internal jugular vein and is able to slide easily on it. By contracting, the omohyoid muscle pulls on the carotid sheath, which surrounds the internal jugular vein, and maintains a low pressure in the vein. This action increases the venous return from the head to the superior vena cava, ultimately aiding in the return of blood to the heart.
The omohyoid muscle is innervated by the ansa cervicalis, receiving fibres from the ventral rami of C1-C3 spinal nerves. The superior belly is innervated by the superior root of ansa cervicalis (C1), while the inferior belly receives fibres from spinal nerves C1, C2, and C3. The muscle receives its arterial blood supply from the superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, and the inferior thyroid artery, a branch of the thyrocervical trunk.
The omohyoid muscle forms the borders of important triangles in the neck, such as the occipital triangle and the supraclavicular triangle. Its attachment at the carotid sheath and its role in maintaining venous return highlight its significance in the neck's anatomy and overall bodily functions related to venous return and breathing.
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Frequently asked questions
The omohyoid muscle is an infrahyoid muscle of the neck.
The omohyoid muscle depresses the hyoid bone and larynx, reestablishing breathing after swallowing. It also maintains a low pressure in the internal jugular vein.
The omohyoid muscle is located in the anterior region of the neck.
The omohyoid muscle consists of two bellies, superior and inferior, connected by an intermediate tendon.
