Thyrohyoid Muscle: Origin, Anatomy, And Function Explained

where does the thyrohyoid muscle

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 originates from the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage and inserts onto the greater horn of the hyoid bone. It is innervated by a branch of the ventral ramus of C1 from the cervical plexus, which travels with the hypoglossal nerve. The primary function of the thyrohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone, and it also elevates the larynx during swallowing, aiding in sound production by controlling the position and shape of the larynx.

Characteristics Values
Type Infrahyoid muscle
Location Anterior triangle of the neck
Shape Small, quadrilateral
Blood supply Superior thyroid artery (branch of the external carotid artery) and inferior thyroid artery (branch of the thyrocervical trunk)
Innervation Anterior ramus of C1, carried within the hypoglossal nerve
Attachments Thyroid cartilage of the larynx and the hyoid bone
Actions Depresses the hyoid bone, elevates the larynx

cyvigor

The thyrohyoid is a small, quadrilateral muscle found in the neck's anterior triangle

The thyrohyoid is a small, quadrilateral muscle located in the neck's anterior triangle. It is one of four infrahyoid muscles, the others being the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid. These muscles are invested by the pretracheal layer of deep cervical fascia. The thyrohyoid is situated in the deep layer with the sternothyroid, while the other two muscles are found in the superficial layer.

The thyrohyoid originates from the oblique line of the lamina of thyroid cartilage, where the sternothyroid ends. The vertical fibers of the muscle continue cranially and converge toward their insertion on the inferior border of the body and greater horn of the hyoid bone. The thyrohyoid is considered a cranial extension of the sternothyroid.

The primary function of the thyrohyoid muscle is to depress and fix the hyoid bone and larynx, though it may also elevate the larynx when the hyoid bone is fixed. This action is significant for singers who need to reach high notes. The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by the ventral ramus of C1, and it receives its blood supply from branches of the superior thyroid artery.

cyvigor

Thyrohyoid is an infrahyoid muscle that depresses the hyoid bone

The thyrohyoid muscle is one of four infrahyoid muscles, the others being the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid. Infrahyoid muscles are so-called because they attach to the inferior aspect of the hyoid bone. The thyrohyoid muscle is a small, quadrilateral muscle found in the anterior triangle of the neck. It is considered a cranial extension of the sternothyroid, originating at the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage and inserting on the inferior border of the body and greater horn (or cornu) of the hyoid bone.

The thyrohyoid muscle has two major functions. Firstly, it acts in conjunction with the other infrahyoid muscles to depress the hyoid bone, which is helpful after swallowing. This is its primary function. Secondly, when the hyoid bone is stabilized by the suprahyoid muscles, the thyrohyoid elevates the larynx. This feature is important for vocalists who try to hit high notes.

The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by nerve fibres from the anterior rami of the first cervical spinal nerve (C1), which reach the muscle via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). The nerve fibres are thus not from the hypoglossal nucleus. The thyrohyoid muscle receives its 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 thyrohyoid muscle is deep to the superior belly of the omohyoid muscle and sternohyoid muscle. It is crossed anteriorly by the oblique fibres of the sternohyoid and the superior belly of the omohyoid. The superior thyroid artery and vein are laterally related to the muscle. The lateral aspect of the thyrohyoid membrane is deep to the thyrohyoid muscle.

Mastering the Art of Identifying Muscles

You may want to see also

cyvigor

Thyrohyoid is considered a cranial extension of sternothyroid

The thyrohyoid muscle is a small, quadrilateral-shaped neck muscle located in the anterior triangle region of the neck, between the thyroid cartilage of the larynx and the hyoid bone. It is one of four infrahyoid muscles, the others being the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid. The infrahyoid muscles are invested by the pretracheal layer of deep cervical fascia and are separated into superficial and deep layers. Thyrohyoid occupies the deep layer with sternothyroid.

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 feature is important for vocalists trying to hit high notes. The thyrohyoid receives its blood supply from branches of the superior thyroid artery. Unlike the other infrahyoid muscles, the thyrohyoid is not innervated by the ansa cervicalis. Instead, nerve fibers from the anterior rami of the first cervical spinal nerve (C1) reach the muscle via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

cyvigor

Thyrohyoid receives its blood supply from the superior thyroid artery

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 originates from the oblique line of the lamina of thyroid cartilage and attaches to the hyoid bone. Its primary function is to depress the hyoid bone and elevate the larynx.

The thyrohyoid muscle has several important relationships with surrounding structures in the anterior neck. Notably, it is crossed anteriorly by the oblique fibres of the sternohyoid and the superior belly of the omohyoid muscles. Additionally, the superior thyroid artery and vein, which are branches and tributaries of the external carotid artery and internal jugular vein, respectively, are laterally related to the thyrohyoid muscle.

The superior thyroid artery plays a crucial role in supplying blood to the thyrohyoid muscle. It arises from the external carotid artery, just below the level of the greater horn of the hyoid bone. From its origin, the superior thyroid artery runs upward and forward in the carotid triangle, eventually arching downward beneath the omohyoid, sternohyoid, and sternothyroid muscles. It distributes twigs and branches to adjacent muscles and the thyroid gland, connecting with its fellow on the opposite side.

The superior thyroid artery gives off several branches that contribute to the blood supply of the thyrohyoid muscle and other structures in the neck. One important branch is the infrahyoid branch, also known as the hyoid artery. This small artery runs along the lower border of the hyoid bone, beneath the thyrohyoid muscle, and supplies blood to the infrahyoid strap muscles, including the thyrohyoid. Additionally, the superior thyroid artery has glandular branches that supply blood to the upper half of the thyroid gland, as well as the anterior and posterior surfaces of the gland.

cyvigor

Thyrohyoid is innervated by the anterior rami of the first cervical spinal nerve

The thyrohyoid muscle is a small, quadrilateral-shaped skeletal muscle found in the anterior triangle of the neck. It is one of four infrahyoid muscles, along with the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid. Unlike these other infrahyoid muscles, the thyrohyoid is not innervated by the ansa cervicalis. Instead, it is innervated by the anterior rami of the first cervical spinal nerve (C1), which reaches the muscle via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

The thyrohyoid muscle originates from the oblique line of the lamina of thyroid cartilage, where sternothyroid ends. The vertical fibers of the muscle continue cranially and converge towards their insertion on the inferior border of the body and greater horn (or cornu) of the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone is fixed, and the thyrohyoid muscle elevates the larynx. It is also involved in depressing the hyoid bone.

The thyrohyoid muscle is the only infrahyoid muscle innervated by the anterior rami of the first cervical spinal nerve (C1). This nerve is often referred to as the nerve to thyrohyoid or the thyrohyoid nerve. The nerve fibers from C1 join and travel with the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) before splitting away distal to the superior root of ansa cervicalis.

The hypoglossal nerve is important for innervating several other muscles in the tongue and floor of the mouth, including the genioglossus, palatoglossus, and styloglossus muscles. The hypoglossal nerve also provides sensory innervation to the tongue, allowing for taste and sensation.

Frequently asked questions

The thyrohyoid muscle is located in the neck's anterior triangle.

The thyrohyoid muscle has two main functions. Firstly, it depresses the hyoid bone, which is helpful after swallowing. Secondly, it elevates the larynx when the hyoid bone is fixed, which is important for vocalists trying to hit high notes.

The thyrohyoid muscle is one of four members of the group of muscles known as the infrahyoid muscles. The other three muscles in this group are sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment