Omohyoid Muscle, Lateral View

Description

Seen in lateral profile, the omohyoid is represented with its inferior belly coursing from the superior border of the scapula near the suprascapular notch and continuing anteromedially across the lower lateral neck. A short intermediate tendon lies deep to the sternocleidomastoid and is tethered by a fascial sling to the clavicle, after which the superior belly ascends to the hyoid bone, just lateral to the midline. Around it, the clavicle, scapula, upper ribs, and cervical vertebrae provide bony reference points in a male figure. A red-caliber vessel along the neck is consistent with the carotid sheath contents, positioned medial to the sternocleidomastoid and deep to the superficial neck fascia. Lateral orientation matters because it clarifies how the omohyoid crosses the posterior triangle and relates to the internal jugular vein and carotid artery at the level where central venous access, carotid endarterectomy exposure, and neck dissection planes are developed. Surgeons often divide or retract the omohyoid to improve access to levels III and IV lymph nodes, and this view makes the intermediate tendon and fascial sling easy to conceptualize. Small muscle, useful landmark. Use this artwork in head and neck anatomy teaching to differentiate infrahyoid strap muscles, in operative atlases illustrating lateral neck approaches, or in radiology and ultrasound education when correlating superficial landmarks with the carotid sheath and adjacent soft tissues. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.