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Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle

The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle is a slender, strap-like muscle located in the anterior region of the neck. As part of the infrahyoid muscle group, it plays a crucial role in the depression of the hyoid bone and assists in swallowing and speech. This muscle is notable for its unique course, being divided into inferior and superior bellies by an intermediate tendon. Its anatomical path extends from the scapula to the intermediate tendon, making it a key landmark in neck surgeries and imaging studies.

Synonyms

  • Inferior belly of the omohyoid

  • Lower belly of omohyoid

  • Omohyoideus inferior (Latin)

Function

  • Depresses the hyoid bone after elevation during swallowing

  • Helps stabilize the hyoid bone and larynx during speech and swallowing

  • Assists in tensing the cervical fascia, which can help maintain the patency of the internal jugular vein

Origin and Insertion

  • Origin: Upper border of the scapula, near the suprascapular notch

  • Insertion: Ends in the intermediate tendon, which is connected to the clavicle and first rib by a fascial sling

Nerve Supply

  • Branch of the ansa cervicalis (C1-C3 fibers of the cervical plexus)

Artery Supply

  • Inferior thyroid artery (branch of the thyrocervical trunk)

  • Occasional small branches from the transverse cervical artery

Vein Supply

  • Drains into the inferior thyroid vein and transverse cervical vein

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted: Appears as an intermediate to low signal intensity structure, similar to other skeletal muscles

  • T2-weighted: Appears as an intermediate to low signal intensity structure, similar to other skeletal muscles

  • STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery): Suppresses fat signal; muscle remains low signal, but any edema or pathology appears as bright (hyperintense)

CT Appearance

  • Appears as a well-defined, flat, soft tissue density band in the lower lateral neck

MRI images

Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle mri axial image

CT images

Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000_00001

MRI image

Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle axial cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000