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Geniohyoid muscle

Recommended video: Geniohyoid muscle [01:56]
Origins, insertions, innervation and functions of the geniohyoid muscle.

Geniohyoid muscle is a short, paired muscle that belongs to the suprahyoid muscle group of the neck. Together with the digastric, stylohyoid and mylohyoid muscles, it constitutes the floor of the oral cavity

Its main function is to coordinate the movements of the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone while swallowing and voice production.

In this article, we will discuss the anatomy and function of the geniohyoid muscle.

Key facts about the geniohyoid muscle
Origin Inferior mental spine (inferior genial tubercle)
Insertion Body of the hyoid bone
Action Elevates and draws hyoid bone anteriorly; shortens
the mouth floor; widens pharynx
Innervation Anterior ramus of spinal nerve C1 (via hypoglossal nerve)
Blood supply Sublingual branch of the lingual artery
Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations 
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Function
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

The geniohyoid muscle originates from the inferior mental spine, located on the posterior surface of the mandible near the lower part of the mandibular symphysis. From there, the muscle fibers radiate posteroinferiorly, close to the central line and insert to the superior border of the body of the hyoid bone. 

Relations 

The paired geniohyoid muscles, placed next to each other, meet in the midline of the mouth floor. They lie inferior to the genioglossus muscles and right above the mylohyoid muscles.

Innervation

Geniohyoid muscle is innervated by the anterior ramus of spinal nerve C1 carried by the hypoglossal nerve.

Blood supply

Arterial supply of the geniohyoid muscle comes from the sublingual branch of lingual artery.

Function

The main function of the geniohyoid muscle is to elevate the hyoid bone and draw it anteriorly. This has as a consequence the attached larynx and pharynx to move anterosuperiorly. In this way, the geniohyoid muscle participates in the deglutition (the pharynx is widened ready to receive food) and the voice production by the vocal cords

If the hyoid muscle is fixed (by other muscles) the geniohyoid muscle assists in mouth opening by depressing the mandible and pulling it inwards. Expand your knowledge with our learning materials about the suprahyoid and other muscles of the ventral neck.

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