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.

Origin

The sternothyroid originates from the manubrium of the sternum.

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.