Sternothyroid muscle

The sternothyroid muscle is an infrahyoid muscle in the anterior neck, originating from the posterior surface of the manubrium sterni and inserting into the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage lamina.[1][3][9] It lies deep to the sternohyoid muscle, is shorter and wider, and receives innervation from branches of the ansa cervicalis (C1-C3 spinal nerves).[1][3][5] Its primary function is to depress the larynx, aiding swallowing, chewing (mastication), and phonation by adjusting vocal pitch and volume through larynx movement.[1][3][7][9] When the hyoid is fixed, it elevates the larynx to increase voice pitch.[3] The muscle protects nearby structures like the thyroid gland, esophagus, trachea, and blood vessels.[7] It has no established role as a therapeutic target, with no known interacting drugs or biomarkers, though injury or surgical manipulation can affect speech and swallowing.[1][7] Anatomical variations include absence, doubling, or accessory slips to nearby muscles.[3]

Other names

sternothyroideus