The thyrohyoid membrane connects the upper border of the thyroid cartilage to the body and greater horns of the hyoid bone. Its lateral thickened portions form the lateral thyrohyoid ligaments, and its central portion is pierced by the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal vessels. It functions as the primary connecting structure between the larynx and hyoid.
| Origin | Upper border of the thyroid cartilage laminae and their superior horns |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Upper border of the back of the body and greater horns of the hyoid bone |
Suspends the larynx from the hyoid so that the two move together in swallowing; it is pierced by the internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels
The thyrohyoid membrane is the site of the thyrohyoid puncture technique for laryngeal injections of Botulinum toxin for spasmodic dysphonia. It is divided during supraglottic laryngectomy and must be identified precisely during thyroid and laryngeal surgery. The internal laryngeal nerve piercing the membrane is at risk during anterior neck approaches at this level. Calcification of the thyrohyoid ligaments is a normal aging variant.
Penetrating injury to the thyrohyoid membrane from anterior neck trauma producing laryngeal dysfunction from internal laryngeal nerve damage and superior laryngeal vessel injury, requiring urgent laryngoscopy assessment.
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