[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Sternohyoid [Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Sternohyoid The sternohyoid is a strap muscle at the front of the neck, from the breastbone to the hyoid bone; it pulls the hyoid down after swallowing. Official name: Sternohyoid muscle [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=sternohyoid&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A strap muscle from the breastbone to the hyoid. ## What it does Pulls the hyoid down after swallowing. ## Key points - The most superficial and medial strap muscle; the two sternohyoids meet near the midline along a pale fascial line, the usual entry for thyroidectomy and tracheostomy - Its nerve supply from the [ansa cervicalis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ansa-cervicalis/) enters the lower part of the strap muscles, so when they must be cut they are divided high, sparing the nerve - Holds the [hyoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hyoid-bone/) down so the suprahyoid muscles can open the jaw against resistance ## Key facts **Origin** [Manubrium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/manubrium-of-sternum/) and medial [clavicle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/clavicle/) **Insertion** Body of the hyoid **Action** Depresses the hyoid **Nerve** Ansa cervicalis (C1–C3) **Blood supply** [Superior thyroid artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-thyroid-artery/) ## Relations **Superficial** Investing [cervical fascia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-investing-cervical-fascia/), [anterior jugular vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-jugular-vein/), [platysma](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/platysma/) and [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/); the [sternocleidomastoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternocleidomastoid-muscle/) covers its lower end **Deep** [Sternothyroid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternothyroid-muscle/) and [thyrohyoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyrohyoid-muscle/), then the [thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/), larynx and [trachea](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trachea/) **Lateral** Superior belly of the [omohyoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/omohyoid-muscle/) **Medial** Its partner across the midline raphe ## How to find it Not seen on its own: in a thin neck the strap muscles make a soft band on each side of the midline, from the [sternum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternum/) to the hyoid bone. In thyroid surgery it is the first strap reached after opening the midline raphe. ## On imaging On neck ultrasound and CT it is the most superficial thin band in front of the thyroid, on each side of the midline, with the sternothyroid just deep to it. Thyroid ultrasound reads the strap muscles as the front border of the gland: a cancer that grows through the capsule into them (gross extrathyroidal extension) must be reported because it raises the stage. ## Clinical notes - Strap muscles are separated in the midline to reach the thyroid gland; a large goitre or an invading cancer may require dividing them or removing them with the gland - The ansa cervicalis branch to the sternohyoid can be joined to the [recurrent laryngeal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/recurrent-laryngeal-nerve/) to restore tone to a paralysed [vocal fold](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vocal-fold/) - Its upper attachment can serve as the pedicle of a sternohyoid muscle flap, used in some repairs of the larynx and upper trachea ## Development The strap muscles arise from a premuscle mass continuous with that of the [tongue](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tongue/), entered early by the upper cervical nerves; it starts at the side of the neck and moves toward the midline as the heart descends, hence the ansa cervicalis supply. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is the nerve supply of the sternohyoid? The ansa cervicalis (C1–C3). ## Why are the strap muscles, including the sternohyoid, divided high when they must be cut? The ansa cervicalis enters their lower part, so a high division spares the nerve supply. ## What is the usual surgical entry between the two sternohyoids for thyroidectomy and tracheostomy? The pale midline fascial line (raphe) where the two sternohyoids meet. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/sternohyoid-muscle/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** musculus sternohyoideus TA2 2168 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Músculo esternohioideo **English (TA2)** Sternohyoid muscle ## Related - [Ansa cervicalis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ansa-cervicalis/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Sternohyoid Muscle](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547693/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Anterior Cervical Region](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557475/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Muscles (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternohyoid-muscle/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternohyoid-muscle/