The stylohyoid is a suprahyoid muscle of the neck. It consists of a thin muscular strip, which is located superior to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.
- Attachments: Arises from the styloid process of the temporal bone and attaches to the lateral aspect of the hyoid bone.
- Actions: Initiates a swallowing action by pulling the hyoid bone in a posterior and superior direction.
- Innervation: Stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) (arises proximal to the parotid gland).
- Blood Supply: Branches of the facial, occipital and posterior auricular arteries
Fig 1 – Lateral view of the neck with three of the suprahyoid muscles highlighted (digastric, mylohyoid and stylohyoid)
Fig 2 – Anterior view of the neck with the suprahyoid muscles highlighted.