Head and neck muscles (chewing, facial, and throat muscles)

Omohyoid

Musculus omohyoideus

Origin

Upper border of the scapula, near the scapular notch (inferior belly)

Insertion

Lower border of the body of the hyoid bone (superior belly), connected to the inferior belly via an intermediate tendon

Function

Depresses and stabilizes the hyoid bone, especially during speaking and swallowing

Innervation

Ansa cervicalis (C1–C3)

Movement & chain

Part of the infrahyoid ('strap') muscle group; fixes the hyoid so the suprahyoid muscles can act effectively on the mandible during mouth opening.

Palpation

The superior belly is sometimes visible as an oblique band on the lateral neck during active neck movements in slender individuals.

Clinical

Landmark in neck anatomy (divides the lateral cervical triangle into upper and lower parts); relevant in neck surgery.

Segmental innervation

C1–C3 via the ansa cervicalis, motor.

In clinical practice

Used as a surgical landmark during neck dissections to determine the level of the internal jugular vein and surrounding lymph node stations.

Region in the model

Head and neck muscles (chewing, facial, and throat muscles)