Corpus: Geniohyoid muscle

The geniohyoid muscle is a narrow skeletal muscle that is part of the suprahyoid musculature.

The geniohyoid muscle originates from the inferior mental spine of the mandible. It runs posteriorly and inferiorly, above the medial border of the mylohyoid muscle, and attaches to the hyoid bone.

The geniohyoid muscle is innervated by the superior root of the ansa cervicalis (from the C1 and C2 spinal segments). These fibers travel with the hypoglossal nerve during their course.

The geniohyoid muscle plays a role in swallowing by stabilizing the hyoid bone and pulling it forward and upward. This action helps move food from the oral cavity into the pharynx. The muscle is also involved in jaw opening.

In some cases, the muscle may send fibers to the greater horn of the hyoid bone and the genioglossus muscle.