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Sternothyroid

The sternothyroid (Latin: musculus sternothyroideus) is a thin strap-like neck muscle belonging to the infrahyoid muscles together with the omohyoid, sternohyoid and thyrohyoid muscle. It extends between the sternum and thyroid cartilage of the larynx. The sternothyroid is also classified as one of the anterior neck muscles.

Sternothyroid
OriginManubrium of sternum
InsertionThyroid cartilage
ActionDepresses larynx
InnervationAnterior rami of 1st to 3rd cervical spinal nerves (C1-C3) via ansa cervicalis
Blood supplySuperior thyroid and lingual arteries

 

Origin

The sternothyroid originates from the manubrium of the sternum.

Sternothyroid, Sternothyroid muscle, Infrahyoid muscles, Neck muscles, Head and neck muscles, Infrahyoid muscles of the neck, Sternothyroid muscle colored blue
Sternothyroid muscle by Anatomy.app

 

Insertion

The sternothyroid muscle inserts on the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage.

 

Action

Upon contraction, the sternothyroid depresses the larynx.

 

Innervation

The sternothyroid muscle is innervated by the anterior rami of the 1st to 3rd cervical spinal nerves (C1 - C3) via the ansa cervicalis of the cervical plexus.

 

Blood supply

The sternothyroid muscle receives arterial blood supply from the superior thyroid and lingual arteries. Both are branches of the external carotid artery.