mylohyoid muscle
Quick Summary
The mylohyoid muscle is a pair of muscles that form a diaphragm for the floor of the mouth. These muscles originate from the lower jaw and insert into the body of the hyoid bone, a U-shaped bone located in the front of the neck. The mylohyoid muscles play a crucial role in elevating the hyoid bone and the floor of the mouth during swallowing, working in conjunction with other muscles to help force food backward into the throat. They are also involved in mastication (chewing) and voice production. The mylohyoid muscle is innervated by the mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve.12
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