Mylohyoid

Mylohyoid

The mylohyoid is a paired muscle running from the mandible to the hyoid bone, forming the floor of the oral cavity of the mouth. It is named after its two attachments near the molar teeth.

Anatomy

The mylohyoid muscle is flat and triangular, and is situated just above the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. It is classified as one of the suprahyoid muscles.

Origin and insertion

The mylohyoid muscle originates from the mylohyoid line on the inner surface of the mandible, and extends to the body of the hyoid bone and the median fibrous raphe (a midline seam of fibrous tissue).

Innervation

The mylohyoid muscle is innervated by the mylohyoid nerve, a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, which is itself a branch of the mandibular nerve (the third branch of the trigeminal nerve).

Function

The mylohyoid muscle elevates the floor of the mouth and the tongue during swallowing and speaking. It also assists in mastication (chewing) by stabilizing the floor of the mouth.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities or injury to the mylohyoid muscle can result in difficulties with swallowing and speech. It may also be involved in certain types of temporomandibular joint disorders.

See also

• Hyoid bone
• Mandible
• Suprahyoid muscles
• Inferior alveolar nerve
• Trigeminal nerve