The superior belly connects the intermediate tendon to the hyoid bone. The ansa cervicalis innervates this belly, reflecting its infrahyoid (strap) muscle group membership.
| Origin | Intermediate tendon — anchored to the clavicle and first rib by a fascial sling |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Body of the hyoid bone |
| Nerve Supply | Ansa cervicalis (C1, C2, C3) |
| Blood Supply | Superior thyroid artery |
| Actions | Depresses the hyoid after swallowing; Tenses the cervical fascia |
|---|
The superior omohyoid belly is the muscle divided in the anterior cervical approach to decompress the carotid sheath. In selective neck dissection, the superior belly forms the superior boundary of level IV nodal territory.
Palpated as a diagonal cord in the anterior lateral neck during swallowing.
Routine division of the superior omohyoid belly during modified radical neck dissection to access levels III-IV nodal territory.
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