Quick Facts
Origin: Inferior Belly: superior border of scapula, medial to superior scapular notch; Superior belly: intermediate tendon.
Insertion: Inferior belly: intermediate tendon; Superior belly: body of hyoid bone.
Action: Depresses hyoid bone.
Innervation: Inferior belly: ansa cervicalis (C1-C3); Superior belly: ansa cervicalis (C1).
Arterial Supply: Infrahyoid branch of superior thyroid artery.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The omohyoid muscle has two bellies, the superior and inferior bellies. The bellies are connected by an intermediate tendon, which is tethered by a fascial sling to the clavicle and first rib.
The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle arises from the superior border of the scapula, medial to the superior scapular notch. Occasionally, it may arise from the transverse scapular ligament. Along its course it runs deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The superior belly of the omohyoid muscle arises from the intermediate tendon.
Insertion
The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle inserts into the intermediate tendon, which is attached to the clavicle by a fascial sling. The superior belly of the omohyoid muscle inserts into the inferior aspect of the body of the hyoid bone, lateral to the attachment of the sternohyoid muscle.
Actions
Overall, the omohyoid muscle depresses the hyoid bone after it has been elevated (Standring, 2016). It also fixes the hyoid bone in place with it opposes the actions of muscles that elevate the bone.
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
