suprahioideos

The suprahioideos (suprahyoid muscles) are a group of four muscles located in the anterior neck region that play important roles in swallowing, speech, and tongue movement. These muscles are positioned above the hyoid bone, which is why they bear the name "suprahyoid" meaning "above the hyoid."

The four muscles that comprise the suprahioideos group are the digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid muscles. The digastric muscle consists of two bellies connected by an intermediate tendon and is involved in opening the mouth and elevating the hyoid bone during swallowing. The stylohyoid muscle extends from the styloid process of the temporal bone to the hyoid bone, assisting in hyoid elevation. The mylohyoid muscle forms the floor of the mouth and helps elevate the tongue and hyoid during swallowing. The geniohyoid muscle connects the mandible to the hyoid bone and contributes to both swallowing and tongue protrusion.

These muscles work coordinately during the complex process of deglutition (swallowing), where they elevate the hyoid bone and larynx to facilitate the passage of food and liquids. They also assist in speech production by stabilizing the hyoid bone and supporting tongue movements necessary for articulation. The mylohyoid and geniohyoid muscles additionally help maintain the airway by supporting the base of the tongue.

The suprahioideos receive innervation from multiple cranial nerves, including the facial nerve (VII), glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), and hypoglossal nerve (XII), reflecting their diverse embryological origins and functional roles. Blood supply to these muscles comes primarily from branches of the facial and lingual arteries.

Dysfunction or weakness of the suprahioideos can contribute to swallowing difficulties, speech impediments, and compromised airway management, making them clinically significant in various medical conditions affecting the head and neck region.