Stylohyoid muscle

The stylohyoid muscle is one of the suprahyoid muscles. 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 draw the hyoid bone upwards and backwards.

Structure

The stylohyoid is a slender muscle. It is directed inferoanteriorly from its origin towards its insertion.
It is perforated near its insertion by the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle.

Origin

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.

Insertion

The muscle inserts onto the body of hyoid bone at the junction of the body and greater cornu.
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.

Vasculature

The stylohyoid muscle receives arterial supply branches of the facial artery, posterior auricular artery, and occipital artery.

Innervation

The stylohyoid muscle receives motor innervation from the stylohyoid branch of facial nerve.

Relations

The muscle is situated anterosuperior to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.

Variation

It may be absent or doubled. It may be situated medial to the carotid artery. It may insert suprahyoid muscles of infrahyoid muscles.

Actions/movements

The stylohyoid muscle elevates and retracts the hyoid bone.

Function

The stylohyoid muscle elongates the floor of the mouth. It initiates a swallowing.