Omohyoid Muscle

Description

Running obliquely across the anterolateral neck, the omohyoid is rendered as a thin, strap-like infrahyoid muscle with an inferior belly arising from the superior border of the scapula near the suprascapular notch and a superior belly inserting on the inferior border of the hyoid bone. Between them, the intermediate tendon sits deep to the sternocleidomastoid and is tethered by a fascial sling to the clavicle and deep cervical fascia. Medial to the omohyoid, the laryngeal framework and midline strap muscles (sternohyoid and sternothyroid) would lie in the visceral compartment, while laterally the carotid sheath region is indicated by the highlighted common carotid artery ascending toward its bifurcation. Bone landmarks, including mandible, clavicle, scapula, ribs, sternum, and cervical vertebrae, provide orientation from superior to inferior. Clinically, the superior belly of the omohyoid is a reliable landmark in level III and level IV neck dissections, where the carotid sheath, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve lie just lateral and deep to its course. Surgeons also use its relationship to the hyoid and thyroid cartilage to stay oriented during thyroidectomy, tracheostomy exposure, and selective lymph node dissection while protecting the ansa cervicalis, which supplies the infrahyoid muscles. Small muscle, big landmark. Use this artwork for head and neck anatomy teaching in medical and dental curricula, operative anatomy figures for endocrine and otolaryngology texts, and patient-facing materials explaining cervical incisions and lymph node levels with clear bony reference points. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.