--- title: Stylohyoid Muscle slug: stylohyoid-muscle-723a2 url: /detay/stylohyoid-muscle-723a2 type: article language: English entity: primary: Stylohyoid Muscle type: article disambiguation: Stylohyoid muscle: Anatomy, function, innervation, and clinical significance. categories: - name: Health And Medicine slug: saglik-ve-tip url: /kategori/saglik-ve-tip tags: - Suprahyoid - Stylohyoid - Swallowing - Hyoid Bone - Facial nerve author: Emin Neşat Gürses created_at: 2025-08-06T16:09:38.477770+03:00 updated_at: 2025-08-12T16:02:39.458724+03:00 --- # Stylohyoid Muscle ## KURE Information Cards ![sQenUZt2l3g7iyXB81IzfaPYL1m9sgcS.png](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/06/V3MpSEddKYGSTq6zBghBlBBKLb2diyhM.png) *Stylohyoid Muscle* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Function(s) | Pulls the hyoid bone upward and backward It makes swallowing easier. | | Artery | It is supplied by the facial artery and the posterior auricular artery. | | Border | It is innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). | ## Article Content The [stylohyoid muscle](/en/detay/stilohyoid-kasi-8efe6/llms.txt) is a long, slender muscle belonging to the suprahyoid muscle group. It extends from the styloid process of the [temporal bone](/en/detay/temporal-bone-f744d/llms.txt) to the hyoid bone and contributes to hyoid bone movements during swallowing, speech, and respiration. ### **Anatomy** #### **Morphology and Connection Points** The stylohyoid muscle, a long and slender muscle, is located in the upper part of the neck, anterosuperior to the posterior belly of the [digastric muscle](/en/detay/digastric-muscle-ffeee/llms.txt). It extends from the styloid process of the temporal bone to the junction of the body and greater horn of the hyoid bone. Along its course, it is pierced by the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle. As part of the suprahyoid muscle group, the stylohyoid muscle is closely associated with the structures that control the position of the hyoid bone. Its topographic proximity to the digastric and [omohyoid muscles](/en/detay/omohyoid-muscle-5d1bb/llms.txt) is particularly important for the muscle's functional integrity. ### **Embryological Origin and Classification** The stylohyoid muscle originates embryologically from the second pharyngeal arch. Muscles developing from this structure receive their motor innervation from the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). Therefore, the stylohyoid muscle is included in this classification and is classified among the suprahyoid muscles controlled by the facial nerve. This embryological origin provides important information regarding the muscle's functional role and clinical neural relationships. ### **Nerve Innervation and Vascular Supply** The stylohyoid muscle receives its nerve supply via the stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve. This nerve branch travels along the muscle to synapse for motor function. The muscle's arterial supply comes primarily from branches of the facial artery, posterior auricular artery, and occipital artery. These vessels meet the muscle's metabolic needs and maintain its function. ### **Function and Clinical Relationships** The primary function of the stylohyoid muscle is to pull the hyoid bone upward and posteriorly. This movement facilitates elevation of the larynx during swallowing, supporting the passage of food into the pharynx. It also assists in movements of the floor of the mouth and the base of the tongue. Working in conjunction with the digastric muscle, it plays a role in the coordination of mandibular movements and indirectly contributes to basic functions such as chewing and swallowing. The stylohyoid muscle is considered an important reference point in head and neck anatomy. Particularly in neck surgery and radiologic imaging, the course of the stylohyoid muscle is critical for localizing surrounding vascular and nerve structures. Clinically, functional deficiencies of this muscle should be considered in swallowing disorders such as dysphagia. Anatomical variations may include the muscle being completely absent, having a double layer, coursing medially to the carotid artery, or supplying fibers to other surrounding muscles. These variations should be considered in surgical approaches. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Al-Saffar, Firas. 2020. Anatomy Head and Neck: Stylohyoid Muscle. ResearchGate. Accessed 28 July 2025.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341787062\_Anatomy\_Head\_and\_Neck\_Stylohyoid\_Muscle .Bailey, Sam, and Rachel D. Taylor. 2023. The Stylohyoid Muscle Revisited: Anatomy and Clinical Implications. ResearchGate. Accessed 28 July 2025.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373434648\_The\_Stylohyoid\_Muscle\_Revisited\_Anatomy\_and\_Clinical\_Implications .Sánchez Delgado, Andrés, and Pablo Martín Álvarez. 2023. [Article title unknown]. Universidad Complutense de Madrid Repository. Accessed 28 July 2025. https://docta.ucm.es/entities/publication/3c6e6fc5-deda-469f-b916-92497b659bd6 .Sharma, Deepak, and Amit Yadav. ty Discovery of a Novel Variant of the Stylochondrohyoideus Muscle (Unilateral). Pulsus Group. Accessed 28 July 2025. https://www.pulsus.com/scholarly-articles/discovery-of-a-novel-variant-of-the-stylochondrohyoideus-muscleunilateral.pdf .StatPearls Publishing. ty Stylohyoid Muscle. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Accessed 28 July 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547653/ .