Suprahyoid muscles

Suprahyoid muscles are a group of four muscles located above the hyoid bone in the human neck. These muscles include the digastric muscle, stylohyoid muscle, mylohyoid muscle, and geniohyoid muscle. They play a crucial role in swallowing and speech.

Anatomy

The suprahyoid muscles are located above the hyoid bone and are attached to the mandible, temporal bone, and hyoid bone. They are divided into two groups: the anterior group, which includes the digastric and mylohyoid muscles, and the posterior group, which includes the stylohyoid and geniohyoid muscles.

Digastric Muscle

The digastric muscle is a small muscle located under the jaw. It consists of two muscle bellies connected by a central tendon and is responsible for opening the mouth and extending the neck.

Stylohyoid Muscle

The stylohyoid muscle is a slender muscle that extends from the styloid process of the temporal bone to the hyoid bone. It assists in swallowing by elevating the hyoid bone.

Mylohyoid Muscle

The mylohyoid muscle forms the floor of the mouth and assists in mastication, swallowing, and speech.

Geniohyoid Muscle

The geniohyoid muscle is a narrow muscle located above the medial border of the mylohyoid muscle. It assists in swallowing and speech by moving the hyoid bone and larynx.

Function

The suprahyoid muscles play a crucial role in swallowing and speech. They assist in the elevation of the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing, and they also help in the opening of the mouth and the depression of the mandible.

Clinical Significance

Dysfunction or injury to the suprahyoid muscles can lead to difficulties in swallowing and speech. Conditions such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and dysarthria (difficulty articulating words) can occur if these muscles are affected.

See Also

• Hyoid bone
• Swallowing
• Speech

References

Suprahyoid muscles Resources
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