Suprahyoid Muscles
- Located above the hyoid bone in the neck
- Consist of four muscles: digastric, stylohyoid, geniohyoid, and mylohyoid
- Pharyngeal muscles, except for geniohyoid
Digastric Muscle
- Posterior belly rises from the mastoid process of the cranium
- Anterior belly arises from the digastric fossa on the inner surface of the mandibular body
- Two bellies connect at the intermediate tendon
- Intermediate tendon passes through a connective tissue loop attached to the hyoid bone
- Assists in elevating the hyoid bone and extreme opening of the mouth
Stylohyoid Muscle
- Long and thin muscle
- Nearly parallel with the posterior belly of the digastric muscle
- Assists in elevating and retracting the hyoid bone
- Elongates the floor of the mouth during swallowing
Geniohyoid Muscle
- Short and narrow muscle
- Contacts the other geniohyoid muscle in the midline
- Pulls the hyoid bone anterosuperiorly
- Shortens the floor of the mouth
- Widens the pharynx during swallowing
Mylohyoid Muscle
- Thin and flat muscle
- Forms a sling inferior to the tongue
- Supports the floor of the mouth
- Elevates the hyoid bone
- Tenses the floor of the mouth during swallowing
The suprahyoid muscles are 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. The digastric is uniquely named for its two bellies. Its posterior belly rises from the mastoid process of the cranium and slopes downward and forward. The anterior belly arises from the digastric fossa on the inner surface of the mandibular body, which slopes downward and backward. The two bellies connect at the intermediate tendon. The intermediate tendon passes through a connective tissue loop attached to the hyoid bone. The mylohyoid muscles are thin, flat muscles that form a sling inferior to the tongue supporting the floor of the mouth. The geniohyoids are short, narrow muscles that contact each other in the midline. The stylohyoids are long, thin muscles that are nearly parallel with the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.
| Suprahyoid muscles | |
|---|---|
 Muscles of the neck. Anterior view. Hyoid bone is white horizontal line near top. Infrahyoid muscles are below hyoid, while Suprahyoid muscles are labeled above. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | Musculi suprahyoidei |
| TA98 | A04.2.03.001 |
| TA2 | 2159 |
| FMA | 71301 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
