Which muscle depresses the hyoid bone?

Enhance your understanding of Muscles, Movements, and Occlusion in Dentistry. Dive into multiple choice questions, each with explanations and hints. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which muscle depresses the hyoid bone?

Explanation:
Depressing the hyoid bone is done by the infrahyoid muscles pulling the hyoid downward toward the sternum after swallowing. The sternohyoid originates from the sternum and inserts into the hyoid, so its contraction pulls the hyoid downward. In contrast, the stylohyoid elevates and retracts the hyoid, while the geniohyoid and the mylohyoid elevate the floor of the mouth and the hyoid. Therefore, the muscle that depresses the hyoid is the sternohyoid.

Depressing the hyoid bone is done by the infrahyoid muscles pulling the hyoid downward toward the sternum after swallowing. The sternohyoid originates from the sternum and inserts into the hyoid, so its contraction pulls the hyoid downward. In contrast, the stylohyoid elevates and retracts the hyoid, while the geniohyoid and the mylohyoid elevate the floor of the mouth and the hyoid. Therefore, the muscle that depresses the hyoid is the sternohyoid.

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