Sternothyroid: Definition, anatomy, and function Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about the sternothyroidMedically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — By Sasha Santhakumar on September 22, 2022The sternothyroid muscle is present in the front region of the neck. It is part of the infrahyoid muscle group and aids functions such as swallowing and speech. Certain health conditions may affect the sternothyroid muscle, or the infrahyoid muscle group, and can result in speaking, chewing, and swallowing difficulties. This article explores the anatomy and functions of the sternothyroid and conditions that may affect the muscle. Definition Share on PinterestCatherine Falls Commercial/Getty ImagesThe sternothyroid muscle is part of the infrahyoid muscle group of the neck, along with the:omohyoid musclesternohyoid musclethyrohyoid muscle The infrahyoid muscles are an anterior neck muscle group, which means they are present at the front of the neck. Some people may also refer to the infrahyoid muscle group as the strap muscles. This name refers to the muscles having a long and flat shape, similar to a belt or strap. Anatomy The sternothyroid muscle makes up a layer of the infrahyoid muscles, along with the thyrohyoid muscle. The sternohyoid and omohyoid muscles make up the superficial, or top, layer of the infrahyoid muscle group. The sternothyroid attaches to the upper portion of the sternum, also known as the breastbone, and the thyroid cartilage, also known as the Adam’s apple. It overlies the superior, or upper, portion of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the front of the neck. It is responsible for regulating metabolism by producing substances such as thyroid hormones. Connective tissue joins the sternothyroid and sternohyoid muscles. Doctors may refer to these two muscles as paired muscles. During some forms of surgery, a doctor may cut through this tissue. A surgeon will typically attempt to separate the left- and right-sided muscles but divide the connective tissue between them and spread them sideways. Function The role of the sternothyroid muscle is to depress the hyoid bone and the larynx during speech and swallowing, along with the other infrahyoid muscles. The hyoid bone refers to a small U-shaped bone, and the larynx is often known as the voice box. As such, the sternothyroid muscle plays a role in speaking, swallowing, and chewing by supporting and moving these structures. The sternothyroid muscle, along with the other muscles of the infrahyoid muscle group, also contributes to protecting other important structures in the neck, such as:the esophagusblood vesselsthe thyroid glandthe trachea Health conditions Conditions involving the sternothyroid muscle or the infrahyoid muscle group may affect various body functions, including speaking, chewing, and swallowing. Dysphagia Dysphagia is the medical term to describe swallowing difficulties. A person who experiences dysphagia may have weakness in the infrahyoid muscles, including the sternothyroid muscle. However, this is one of many possible causes of dysphagia, and isolated weakness of these muscles is quite rare. Speaking difficulties Certain muscle conditions may result in the muscles of the neck region experiencing an imbalance in tension and causing issues with speech. Muscle tension dysphonia is a condition that causes the sound of a person’s voice to change and become difficult to understand. This results from excessive tension in the extrinsic muscles, such as the infrahyoid muscle group. This causes the larynx to have an improper position and creates tension in the vocal folds. Not only can this cause a change in a person’s voice, but it can also cause issues with swallowing and breathing and result in tenderness in the neck. Masses in neck A leiomyoma, also known as a fibroid, is a type of smooth muscle tumor that presents more commonly in premenopausal females. Evidence suggests that approximately 12% of leiomyomas occur in the head and neck region. However, leiomyomas in the sternothyroid, or other strap muscles, are extremely rare. A person with leiomyoma in their sternothyroid muscle may feel a mass in their neck. The size of the mass may vary. Muscle paralysis The ansa cervicalis describes a neural loop that supplies nerves to the sternothyroid, omohyoid, and sternohyoid muscles. As such, injury to the ansa cervicalis may result in infrahyoid muscle weakness or paralysis. A person with an ansa cervicalis injury may experience symptoms such as:a hoarse voicedifficulty swallowingtightness in the throat Injury may occur to the ansa cervicalis following surgery or due to trauma to the head or neck region. Thyroid issues Some people may experience issues with their thyroid gland, including underactivity — hypothyroidism — or overactivity — hyperthyroidism. Muscle weakness can occur with both conditions, which may impact the sternothyroid. In some people, the thyroid gland may swell and enlarge. This is known as a goiter. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can both cause goiter. Goiter may affect the sternothyroid muscle as well as the other muscles of the infrahyoid muscle group. It may also compress other structures, such as the esophagus. A person with a goiter may experience:difficulty swallowinga hoarse voicea choking sensationcoughingshortness of breath Summary The sternothyroid is a muscle present at the front of the neck. It is one of the muscles that form the infrahyoid muscle group. The sternothyroid helps depress the hyoid bone and larynx, meaning it aids functions such as swallowing, speaking, and chewing. It also protects other important structures in the neck. Certain conditions may affect the sternothyroid, which can result in difficulty with swallowing, speaking, and chewing. Last medically reviewed on September 22, 2022Ear, Nose, and Throat 13 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.AlJulaih, G. H., et al. (2021). Anatomy, head and neck, hyoid bone.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539726/Armstrong, M., et al. (2022). Physiology, thyroid function.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537039/Can, A. S., et al. (2022). Goiter.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562161/Chang, M. C., et al. (2021). Comparison of three different types of exercises for selective contractions of supra- and infrahyoid muscles.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-86502-wFlorence, A. M., et al. (2022). Leiomyoma.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538273/Kikuta, S., et al. (2019). Ansa cervicalis: A comprehensive review of its anatomy, variations, pathology, and surgical applications.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6773902/McGarey, P. O., Jr., et al. (2018). Comorbid dysphagia and dyspnea in muscle tension dysphonia: A global laryngeal musculoskeletal problem.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6737875/Mnatsakanian, A., et al. (2021). Anatomy, head and neck, thyroid muscles.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541063/Muscle tension dysphonia. (n.d.).https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/muscle-tension-dysphoniaNguyen, J. D., et al. (2021). Anatomy, head and neck, sternohyoid muscle.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547693/Rowe, M. E., et al. (2016). Leiomyoma of the sternothyroid muscle [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27178511/Shah, A., et al. (2021). Anatomy, head and neck, anterior cervical region.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557475/Suárez-Quintanilla, J., et al. (2021). Anatomy, head and neck, larynx.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538202/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — By Sasha Santhakumar on September 22, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat causes difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)?Medically reviewed by Sara Minnis, MS, CCC-SLP Dysphagia refers to a difficulty in swallowing. 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