The stylohyoid muscle is one of the suprahyoid muscles. Its originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone; it inserts onto hyoid bone. It is innervated by a branch of the facial nerve. It acts draw the lingual bone upwards and backwards.
Structure
The stylohyoid is a
Gracility muscle.
It is directed inferoanteriorly from its origin towards its insertion.
It is perforated near its insertion by the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle.[
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Origin
The muscle arises from the posterior surface of the temporal styloid process; it arises near the base of the process. It arises by a small tendon of origin.
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Insertion
The muscle inserts onto the body of hyoid bone at the junction of the body and greater cornu.[
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It passes anterior to the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle and is inserted immediately superior to that of the superior belly of omohyoid muscle.[
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Vasculature
The stylohyoid muscle receives arterial supply branches of the facial artery, posterior auricular artery, and occipital artery.[
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Innervation
The stylohyoid muscle receives motor innervation from the stylohyoid branch of facial nerve.[
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Relations
The muscle is situated anterior to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.[
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Variation
It may be absent or doubled. It may be situated medial to the carotid artery. It may insert suprahyoid muscles of infrahyoid muscles.[
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Actions/movements
The stylohyoid muscle elevates and retracts the hyoid bone (i.e. draws it superiorly and posteriorly).[
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Function
The stylohyoid muscle elongates the floor of the mouth.[ It initiates a swallowing.
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==Additional images==
See also
External links