Infrahyoid muscles | |
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Details | |
Nerve | Ansa cervicalis (except thyrohyoid muscle) |
Actions | Depress the hyoid bone |
Identifiers | |
Latin | musculi infrahyoidei |
TA98 | A04.2.04.001 |
TA2 | 2167 |
FMA | 71298 |
Anatomical terms of muscle |
The infrahyoid muscles, or strap muscles, are a group of four pairs of muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. [1] The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid and omohyoid muscles. [1]
Excluding the sternothyroid, the infrahyoid muscles either originate from or insert on to the hyoid bone. [2]
The term infrahyoid refers to the region below the hyoid bone, while the term strap muscles refers to the long and flat muscle shapes which resembles a strap. The stylopharyngeus muscle is considered by many to be one of the strap muscles,[ citation needed ] but is not an infrahyoid muscle.
The origin, insertion and innervation of the individual muscles: [3]
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation |
Sternohyoid | Posterior surface of manubrium sterni, adjoining parts of clavicle and the posterior sternoclavicular ligament | Medial part of lower border of hyoid bone | Ansa cervicalis |
Sternothyroid | Posterior surface of manubrium sterni and adjoining part of first costal cartilage | Oblique line of thyroid cartilage | Ansa cervicalis |
Thyrohyoid | Oblique line of the thyroid cartilage | Lower border of the body and the greater cornu of the hyoid bone | Cervical spinal nerve 1 via the hypoglossal nerve |
Omohyoid (superior belly) | Intermediate tendon | Hyoid bone | Superior root of ansa cervicalis (C1) |
Omohyoid (inferior belly) | Superior border of scapula | Intermediate tendon | Ansa cervicalis (C1-C3) |
All of the infrahyoid muscles are innervated by the ansa cervicalis from the cervical plexus (C1-C3) [4] [5] except the thyrohyoid muscle, which is innervated by fibers only from the first cervical spinal nerve travelling with the hypoglossal nerve. [1]
The infrahyoid muscles function to elevate and depress the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing and speech. [6] This moves the larynx as one unit. [7]
The axillary nerve or the circumflex nerve is a nerve of the human body, that originates from the brachial plexus at the level of the axilla (armpit) and carries nerve fibers from C5 and C6. The axillary nerve travels through the quadrangular space with the posterior circumflex humeral artery and vein to innervate the deltoid and teres minor.
The lesser occipital nerve is a cutaneous spinal nerve of the cervical plexus. It arises from second cervical (spinal) nerve (C2). It innervates the skin of the back of the upper neck and of the scalp posterior to the ear.
The dorsal scapular nerve is a branch of the brachial plexus, usually derived from the ventral ramus of cervical nerve C5. It provides motor innervation to the rhomboid major muscle, rhomboid minor muscle, and levator scapulae muscle.
The omohyoid muscle is a muscle in the neck. It is one of the infrahyoid muscles. It consists of two bellies separated by an intermediate tendon. Its inferior belly is attached to the scapula; its superior belly is attached to the hyoid bone. Its intermediate tendon is anchored to the clavicle and first rib by a fascial sling. The omohyoid is innervated by the ansa cervicalis of the cervical plexus. It acts to depress the hyoid bone.
The cervical plexus is a nerve plexus of the anterior rami of the first four cervical spinal nerves C1-C4. The cervical plexus provides motor innervation to some muscles of the neck, and the diaphragm; it provides sensory innervation to parts of the head, neck, and chest.
The geniohyoid muscle is a narrow paired muscle situated superior to the medial border of the mylohyoid muscle. It is named for its passage from the chin to the hyoid bone.
The ansa cervicalis is a loop formed by muscular branches of the cervical plexus formed by branches of cervical spinal nerves C1-C3. The ansa cervicalis has two roots - a superior root and an inferior root - that unite distally, forming a loop. It is situated within the carotid sheath.
The sternohyoid muscle is a bilaterally paired, long, thin, narrow strap muscle of the anterior neck. It is one of the infrahyoid muscles. It is innervated by the ansa cervicalis. It acts to depress the hyoid bone.
The sternothyroid muscle is an infrahyoid muscle of the neck. It acts to depress the hyoid bone.
The thyrohyoid muscle is a small skeletal muscle of the neck. Above, it attaches onto the greater cornu of the hyoid bone; below, it attaches onto the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage. It is innervated by fibres derived from the cervical spinal nerve 1 that run with the hypoglossal nerve to reach this muscle. The thyrohyoid muscle depresses the hyoid bone and elevates the larynx during swallowing. By controlling the position and shape of the larynx, it aids in making sound.
The medial pectoral nerve is (typically) a branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus and is derived from spinal nerve roots C8-T1. It provides motor innervation to the pectoralis minor muscle, and the lower half of the pectoralis major muscle. It runs along the inferior border of the pectoralis minor muscle.
The thoracodorsal nerve is a nerve present in humans and other animals, also known as the middle subscapular nerve or the long subscapular nerve. It supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle.
The thyrohyoid membrane is a broad, fibro-elastic sheet of the larynx. It connects the upper border of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone.
The superior thyroid artery arises from the external carotid artery just below the level of the greater cornu of the hyoid bone and ends in the thyroid gland.
The lower subscapular nerve, also known as the inferior subscapular nerve, is the third branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It innervates the inferior portion of the subscapularis muscle and the teres major muscle.
The subclavian nerve, also known as the nerve to the subclavius, is a small branch of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. It contains axons from C5 and C6. It innervates the subclavius muscle.
The piriformis nerve, also known as the nerve to piriformis, is the peripheral nerve that provides motor innervation to the piriformis muscle.
The nerve to obturator internus is a mixed nerve providing motor innervation to the obturator internus muscle and gemellus superior muscle, and sensory innervation to the hip joint. It is a branch of the sacral plexus. It is one of the group of deep gluteal nerves.
The nerve to quadratus femoris is a nerve of the sacral plexus that provides motor innervation to the quadratus femoris muscle and gemellus inferior muscle, and an articular branch to the hip joint. The nerve leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen.
The pretracheal fascia is a layer of the deep cervical fascia at the front of the neck. It attaches to the hyoid bone above, and - extending down into the thorax - blends with the fibrous pericardium below. It encloses the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands, trachea, and esophagus. It extends medially in front of the carotid vessels. It assists in forming the carotid sheath.