The mylohyoid is a paired, flat triangular-shaped muscle that forms the floor of the oral cavity. Therefore, it is sometimes referred to as the diaphragma oris muscle. Moreover, the mylohyoid muscle also forms the floor of the submental and submandibular neck triangles.

It is classified as the suprahyoid muscle of the neck, as it is located above the hyoid bone. The mylohyoid connects the skull to the hyoid bone, stretching between the mandible and the mentioned bone.

Both mylohyoid muscles meet in the middle of the floor of the oral cavity. They insert in a median fibrous raphe called the mylohyoid raphe that extends from the mandibular symphysis to the body of the hyoid bone.

The superior aspect of the muscle is related to the geniohyoid muscle and structures found within the oral cavity, such as the hyoglossus muscle, hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), sublingual and submandibular glands and lingual artery and lingual vein. The inferior aspect of the mylohyoid is related to the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, platysma, submandibular gland, submental artery, submental vein and anterior jugular vein. Overall, the mylohyoid aids in swallowing, chewing and speech formation.

Origin: mylohyoid line on the internal surface of the mandible.

Insertion: superior aspect of the body of the hyoid bone (posterior fibers), mylohyoid raphe (anterior and middle fibers).

Action: elevation of the hyoid bone (mylohyoid draws the hyoid bone forward and upward), elevation of the floor of the oral cavity, depression of the mandible.

Innervation: mylohyoid nerve that is a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve (a nerve that arises from the mandibular nerve (CN V3)).

Blood supply: mylohyoid artery of the inferior alveolar artery, sublingual artery of the lingual artery, submental artery of the facial artery.

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Mylohyoid