Mylohyoid muscle

Last revised by Travis Fahrenhorst-Jones on 16 Jun 2022

The mylohyoid muscles form a paired muscular sling that forms part of the floor of the mouth. It also separates the sublingual space (and oral cavity) from the submandibular space

  • origin: mylohyoid line/ridge on the internal surface of the mandible
  • insertion: anterior and middle fibers insert into a midline raphe that extends from the mandibular symphysis to the body of the hyoid bone, the posterior fibers extend directly to the body of the hyoid bone
  • elevates the floor of the mouth (e.g. in swallowing or protruding the tongue)
  • mylohyoid boutonniere: defect in the midportion of the mylohyoid muscle through which sublingual glands, blood vessels, fat, etc. can herniate 1,4

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