Spry Juncture, LLC
How to Evolve Gracefully
Stylohyoid
Region
📷 Stylohyoid muscle by Mikael Häggström, via Wikimedia Commons, in the Public domain
📷 Stylohyoideus by Uwe Gille (modified from Image:Gray1019.png), via Wikimedia Commons, in the Public domain
Origin & Insertion
['Origin: Styloid process of temporal bone', 'Insertion: Body of hyoid bone']
Synergistic Muscles
['Digastric (posterior belly)', 'Geniohyoid']
Joints
['None']
Primary Actions
['Elevates and retracts hyoid during swallowing']
Nerve & Spinal Segment
Facial nerve (CN VII)
Cranial nerve; Facial nucleus in pons
Interesting
Splits to allow digastric tendon to pass. [Netter's Anatomy]
Reversal of Action
Anchor hyoid while initiating jaw depression
Common Dysfunctions
Reduced hyoid elevation, impaired swallow
How to Stretch
Neck extension with slight rotation away.
Trigger Points
How to Strengthen
Swallow and hold routines with head neutral.
Concentric Action
Elevate and retract hyoid bone
Applications:
Supports laryngeal elevation during swallow safety exercises
Eccentric Action
Control release of hyoid post-swallow
Isotonic Action
Repetitive swallows with resistance (e.g., Masako technique)
Related Conditions
['Dysphagia', 'Eagle syndrome']
Isometric Action
Sustain elevation of hyoid via tongue-hold maneuver
Exercise Ideas
['Swallow holds', 'Hyoid pulses', 'Neck glide drills']