The stylohyoid muscle is one of the suprahyoid muscles.[1] 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 to draw the hyoid bone upwards and backwards.
Structure
The stylohyoid is a slendermuscle.[2] It is directed inferoanteriorly from its origin towards its insertion.[3]
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.[3]
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.[3]
The stylohyoid muscle elongates the floor of the mouth.[3] It lifts the hyoid bone upward and backward, allowing for the opening of the mouth. This helps in speech and swallowing.[4]
Additional images
Left temporal bone. Outer surface.
Hyoid bone. Anterior surface. Enlarged.
Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.
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