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AnatomyHead and neckNeckThyrohyoid muscle
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AnatomyHead and neckNeckThyrohyoid muscle

Thyrohyoid muscle

Author: Lorenzo Crumbie, MBBS, BSc • Reviewer: Francesca Salvador, MSc
Last reviewed: September 30, 2021
Reading time: 4 minutes

Recommended video: Thyrohyoid muscle [01:34]
Origins, insertions, innervation and functions of the thyrohyoid muscle.
Thyrohyoid muscle
Musculus thyrohyoideus
Synonyms: Musculus thyreohyoideus

Thyrohyoid is a small, quadrilateral muscle found in the anterior triangle of the neck. It is one of four members of the group of muscles known as the infrahyoid muscles. The other three muscles in this group are sternohyoid, sternothyroid and omohyoid. The muscles are invested by the pretracheal layer of deep cervical fascia. They are separated into superficial and deep layers. Thyrohyoid occupies the deep layer with sternothyroid, while the other two are found in the superficial layer.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the thyrohyoid muscle.

Key facts about the thyrohyoid muscle
Origin Oblique line of thyroid cartilage
Insertion Inferior border of body and greater horn of hyoid bone
Action Depresses hyoid bone
Elevates larynx
Innervation Anterior ramus of spinal nerve C1 via hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Blood supply Branches of lingual and superior thyroid arteries
Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply 
  5. Functions
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Thyrohyoid is considered as a cranial extension of sternothyroid. It originates from the oblique line of the lamina of thyroid cartilage, where sternothyroid ends. The vertical fibers of the muscle continue cranially and converge (but do not meet) toward their insertion on the inferior border of the body and greater horn (cornu) of the hyoid bone. 

Learn more about neck anatomy with the content below.

Muscles of the anterior neck Explore study unit
Compartments of the neck Explore study unit

Relations

Sternohyoid muscle
Musculus sternohyoideus
1/6
Synonyms: none

Thyrohyoid has several close relationships with surrounding structures in the anterior neck. It is crossed anteriorly by the oblique fibers of sternohyoid and the superior belly of omohyoid. Stylohyoid and the posterior belly of digastric pass the muscle superiorly.

The superior thyroid artery and vein (branch and tributary of the external carotid artery and internal jugular vein, respectively) are laterally related to the muscle. The lateral aspect of the thyrohyoid membrane is deep to the thyrohyoid muscle.

Innervation

Thyrohyoid, unlike the other infrahyoid muscles, is not innervated by the ansa cervicalis. Instead, nerve fibers from the anterior rami of the first cervical spinal nerve (C1) reach the muscle via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). This nerve (often simply referred to as the nerve to thyrohyoid) branches from CN XII near the posterior border of hyoglossus.

Thyrohyoid branch of hypoglossal nerve
Ramus thyrohyoideus nervi hypoglossi
1/3
Synonyms: Thyrohyoid nerve, Nerve to thyrohyoid muscle , show more...

Blood supply 

The infrahyoid and superior laryngeal arteries are two branches of the superior thyroid artery that supplies the thyrohyoid muscle. Other unnamed branches of the lingual artery also contribute to the blood supply of this muscle.

Do you find it difficult memorizing hundreds of muscles for your upcoming anatomy exams? Master and incorporate the high yield facts to memory, and review them easily by using Kenhub's muscle anatomy reference charts!

Functions

Thyrohyoid has two major functions. Firstly, it acts in conjunction with the other infrahyoid muscles and depresses the hyoid bone, which is helpful after swallowing has taken place. Secondly, when the hyoid bone is stabilized by the suprahyoid muscles, thyrohyoid elevates the larynx. This feature is important for vocalists who try to hit high notes.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Moore, K., Agur, A., & Dalley, A. (2006). Clinically oriented anatomy (5th ed.). Philadelphia: LippincottWilliams&Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Standring, S., & Gray, H. (2008). Gray's anatomy (42nd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

Layout:

  • Adrian Rad

Illustrators:

  • Thyrohyoid muscle (musculus thyrohyoideus) - Yousun Koh

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