Infrahyoid muscles

Last revised by Daniel MacManus on 12 Mar 2021

The infrahyoid muscles or strap muscles are a group of four paired muscles in the anterior neck below the hyoid bone, within the muscular triangle. They are responsible for depressing the hyoid during swallowing. These muscles can be remembered by the mnemonic "TOSS".

There are four strap muscles:

The strap muscles are ensheathed by the middle layer of the deep cervical fascia, thereby forming one of the deep fascial compartments of the neck, although it is not commonly recognized as such 4

Each muscle is supplied by different nerves from the ansa cervicalis.

Sternohyoid receives supply from branches of the superior thyroid artery.

Thyrohyoid, omohyoid and sternothyroid receive supply from branches of the superior thyroid and lingual arteries5.

The name "strap muscles" comes from their long and flat shape, similar to a belt or strap 3

The muscles are retracted apart in the midline to access the thyroid gland for thyroidectomy.

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