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The hyoid bone is the only floating bone in the human body, connecting to other structures via ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. It is located in the front of the neck, below the lower jaw and above the thyroid cartilage. The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located above the hyoid bone in the neck, and they all act to elevate the hyoid. These muscles are the digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid. The infrahyoid muscles, on the other hand, contract to depress the hyoid bone, allowing the suprahyoid muscles to contract and depress the mandible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Hyoid Muscles | 8 (4 suprahyoid and 4 infrahyoid) |
| Suprahyoid Muscles | Digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, thyrohyoid, stylopharyngeus |
| Infrahyoid Muscles | Omohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, sternohyoid |
| Hyoid Bone Location | Front of the neck, below the lower jaw and above the thyroid cartilage |
| Hyoid Bone Shape | Crescent-shaped or U-shaped |
| Hyoid Bone Structure | The only "floating" bone in the body, not connected to any other bone |
| Hyoid Bone Function | Supports the tongue, essential for swallowing, speaking and breathing |
| Hyoid Bone Development | Fuses into one solid structure during adulthood |
| Hyoid Bone Elevation | Caused by suprahyoid muscles when the mandible is fixed |
| Hyoid Bone Depression | Caused by suprahyoid muscles when the infrahyoid muscles contract |
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Suprahyoid muscles
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located above the hyoid bone in the neck. They are the digastric, stylohyoid, geniohyoid, and mylohyoid muscles. They are all pharyngeal muscles, with the exception of the geniohyoid muscle.
These muscles are responsible for elevating the hyoid bone, which is crucial for swallowing. They also contribute to chewing, swallowing, and phonation, as well as neck flexion. The suprahyoid muscles facilitate airway management, and their dysfunction can lead to obstructive sleep apnea and complications during intubation.
The digastric muscle is unique in that it has two bellies, an anterior and a posterior one, which are connected by an intermediate tendon attached to the hyoid bone. The stylohyoid muscle is a thin, muscular strip that initiates the swallowing action by pulling the hyoid bone in a posterior and superior direction. The geniohyoid muscle moves the hyoid bone upward and forward, widening the airway passage. The mylohyoid muscle is thin and flat, forming a sling under the tongue and supporting the floor of the mouth.
The suprahyoid muscles work in conjunction with the infrahyoid muscles to stabilize the hyoid bone. When the infrahyoid muscles contract, they depress the hyoid bone, allowing the suprahyoid muscles to contract and elevate it. This coordination between the two muscle groups is essential for swallowing and maintaining the stability of the hyoid bone.
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Infrahyoid muscles
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 referred to as "strap muscles" due to their long and flat shape. These muscles are responsible for depressing the hyoid bone during swallowing, and they work in conjunction with the suprahyoid muscles to control the positioning of the hyoid bone.
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. The omohyoid muscle, located in the superficial plane, is made up of two muscle bellies connected by a muscular tendon. The superior belly arises from the hyoid bone, while the inferior belly arises from the scapula. The sternohyoid muscle, also in the superficial plane, originates from the sternum and ascends to insert into the hyoid bone. It is innervated by the anterior rami of C1-C3, carried by a branch of the ansa cervicalis.
The sternothyroid muscle, located in the deep plane, is a wide muscle that arises from the manubrium of the sternum and attaches to the thyroid cartilage. It functions to depress the thyroid cartilage and is innervated similarly to the sternohyoid muscle. The thyrohyoid muscle, also in the deep plane, 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. Unlike the other infrahyoid muscles, the thyrohyoid is innervated by nerve fibers from the anterior ramus of spinal nerve C1, which reaches the muscle via the hypoglossal nerve.
The infrahyoid muscles play an important role in several functions, including speech, swallowing, and the movement of the larynx. Damage to these muscles can result in difficulties with swallowing and speaking, as well as a hoarse voice.
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Swallowing
The hyoid bone is a unique floating bone in the body, not connected to any other bone. Instead, it is held in place by ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. It is located in the front of the neck, below the lower jaw (mandible) and above the thyroid cartilage. The hyoid bone plays a crucial role in swallowing, speaking, and breathing. It also provides support for various structures, including the muscles in the floor of the mouth, the larynx (voice box), the epiglottis, and the pharynx (throat).
The hyoid bone is elevated by the suprahyoid muscles, which consist of four muscles: the digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid. These muscles contribute to swallowing, with the stylohyoid muscle initiating the swallowing action by pulling the hyoid bone in a posterior and superior direction. The stylohyoid muscle also helps to keep the pharynx open during inspiration by tensing the floor of the mouth.
The digastric muscle, with its two bellies connected by a tendon, assists in depressing the mandible and elevating the hyoid bone. The mylohyoid muscle, a broad, triangular-shaped muscle, forms the floor of the oral cavity and supports the floor of the mouth. It elevates the hyoid bone and the floor of the mouth when the mandibular attachment is fixed. Conversely, when the hyoid attachment is fixed, it depresses the mandible.
The geniohyoid muscle assists in depressing the mandible and pulling it inwards when the hyoid bone is fixed in place. Its primary function is to elevate the hyoid bone and draw it anteriorly. The infrahyoid muscles, on the other hand, depress the hyoid bone when contracted, allowing the suprahyoid muscles to contract and depress the mandible. This coordination between the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles is essential for swallowing.
Any disruption to the hyoid muscles can lead to difficulties in swallowing, as well as problems with speech and a hoarse voice. Conditions affecting the hyoid bone include hyoid bone syndrome, characterised by inflammation in the surrounding muscles and ligaments, and broken hyoid bone, which is rare and often a result of strangulation.
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Speaking
The hyoid bone is located in the front of the neck, below the lower jaw and above the thyroid cartilage. It is the only "floating" bone in the human body, meaning it is not connected to any other bone and is instead held in place by ligaments, muscles, and cartilage.
The hyoid bone plays a crucial role in speaking, swallowing, and breathing. It supports the tongue and acts as an attachment point for muscles in the floor of the mouth, the larynx (voice box), epiglottis, and pharynx (throat).
The hyoid bone is elevated by the suprahyoid muscles, which consist of four muscles: the digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid. These muscles are located above the hyoid bone and work together to elevate it, facilitating the process of swallowing. The stylohyoid muscle, in particular, functions as a stabilizer, retractor, and elevator of the hyoid bone.
When the infrahyoid muscles contract, they depress the hyoid bone, allowing the suprahyoid muscles to contract and depress the mandible. Conversely, if the suprahyoid muscles contract when the infrahyoid muscles are relaxed, the hyoid bone is elevated. This coordination between the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles is essential for swallowing and speaking.
Damage to the hyoid muscles can result in difficulty speaking and swallowing, and sometimes a hoarse voice. Therefore, the hyoid bone and its associated muscles play a vital role in speech production and overall oral health.
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Hyoid bone syndrome
The symptoms of hyoid bone syndrome include deep-seated, dull, aching throat pain that radiates from the neck, and is accompanied by throat clicking while speaking, swallowing, yawning, and turning the head. Pain typically radiates from the greater cornu of the hyoid bone to the throat, mandible, mandibular molar teeth, zygomatic arch, condyle, face, ear, and temple superiorly; and anteriorly to the neck, clavicle, upper half of the breast, shoulder, arm, and over the shoulder to the scapula of the back inferiorly on the same side. The pain is usually increased by swallowing and palpation.
Treatment for hyoid bone syndrome is initially conservative, but when this fails, surgery is an option. Surgical excision of the abnormal hyoid bone has been shown to result in immediate and complete relief of symptoms, with no postoperative complications. Other treatments include injections of local anaesthetic or cortisone.
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Frequently asked questions
The suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located above the hyoid bone in the neck. They are the digastric, stylohyoid, geniohyoid, and mylohyoid muscles.
The primary function of the suprahyoid muscles is to elevate the hyoid bone. They also assist in depressing the mandible and play a role in swallowing, speech, and breathing.
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located below the hyoid bone in the neck. They include the omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid muscles.
The infrahyoid muscles contract to depress the hyoid bone, allowing the suprahyoid muscles to contract and elevate the hyoid bone. They also play a role in swallowing and speech.
