The jaw-hyoid muscle is a flat muscle plate located between the lower jaw and the hyoid bone. This muscle is often called the diaphragm of the oral cavity, since it is they who form the bottom of the cavity. The muscle provides a distinction between the face and neck.
Above muscle tissue is the salivary gland and tongue. The jaw-hyoid muscle originates on the lower jaw, goes backward, towards the midline. The posterior muscle bundles are attached to the hyoid bone.
general information
The jaw-hyoid muscle is flat, has the shape of an irregular triangle. On the opposite side is a similar muscle. When connected, these muscles form a seam.
The exact shape and size of the muscle depends on the characteristics of the bone structure of the body. For example, if a person has a lower jaw longer, then the muscle has a small width, but its length is more than the average. In the presence of a short jawbone, the muscle is wider. Paired cranial-hyoid muscles form the bottom of the oral cavity. Contraction of two muscles at the same time allows you to lower the jaw.
Structural features
The jaw-hyoid line is the place where the muscle of the same name begins. Small gaps form between muscle bundles. Sometimes infections and purulent congestions from the oral cavity can spread through them. The cracks are often located directly under the tongue, in the region of the second lower molar.
How does muscle work?
The innervation of the muscle is provided by the cranial-hyoid nerve, which passes through a special deepening of neither the lower jaw (maxillary-hyoid groove). The main task of the body is to lower the lower jaw. This occurs only with simultaneous contraction of paired muscles. Proper functioning allows a person to speak, swallow, chew food. The nutrition of these paired muscles is carried out using the cranial-hyoid arteries, which depart from the larger lingual and facial.
Abscess and other lesions of this area
Sometimes the jaw-hyoid muscle is involved in the inflammatory process, which often leads to suppuration of tissues. The lesion quickly captures new areas, gradually spreading to the entire surface of the muscle. Since all the tissues that form the oral cavity communicate with each other through the blood vessels, the infection can spread to the tongue, nerves, and salivary glands. In this case, doctors talk about phlegmon.
Phlegmon most often affects the jaw-hyoid groove, but can be localized in other parts of the bottom of the oral cavity:
- the space under the tongue is affected on both sides;
- the space under the tongue and under the lower jaw is affected on one side;
- zones under the tongue and jaw on both sides are involved in the inflammatory process;
- the bottom of the oral cavity is completely infected.
Causes and manifestations
If the jaw-hyoid muscle hurts due to phlegmon, then the reasons are most likely the following:
- tooth infection;
- periodontal disease;
- periodontitis;
- osteomyelitis.
The clinical picture, as a rule, is as follows:
- pain when trying to swallow or chew food;
- general malaise;
- pain during the conversation;
- labored, rapid breathing.
Patients with phlegmon often tilt their heads forward, open their mouths, and when sitting they rest their chin on a chair, as this facilitates discomfort.
Infection leads to general intoxication of the body, fever, changes in the number of white blood cells in the blood. Often phlegmon leads to respiratory acidosis.
If the tissues located below the maxillary hyoid muscle are infected, then small tumors form on both sides. The skin above them is tense and hot to the touch. When trying to touch the affected areas, the patient experiences discomfort, and sometimes sharp pain. Self-treatment is unacceptable. If symptoms appear, you should immediately make an appointment with the doctor, as the lack of therapy can lead to dangerous consequences. The inflammatory process often spreads to other tissues and organs.
Muscle training to maintain a youthful face
The maxillary hyoid muscle can be trained, ensuring the preservation of the natural oval of the face. There are a few simple exercises:
- Effective is the rise of the chin. Sitting on a chair, lean your head back with your chin up. Now tighten your muscles as if trying to reach the ceiling with your chin.
- Stay in the same position with your head tilted back. Pull and pry your lips as if trying to kiss the ceiling.
- Open your eyes and mouth wide, try to reach your chin with your tongue.
- Effective are slow head tilts forward, backward and sideways.
Key rules for training neck muscles look like this:
- breathing must be carefully controlled;
- eyes should be open;
- it is important to control blood pressure; the fact is that static muscle tension, aggravated by head movements, leads to a sharp change in this indicator;
- sudden movements during training are prohibited; any exercises are performed smoothly, it is unacceptable to burden the chin too much;
- to achieve a result, the muscles must be constantly tensed; do not let your neck relax completely, as this will lead to a temporary loss of muscle control.
After completing the exercises, you can relax.
Regular training of the jaw-hyoid and other neck muscles allows you to achieve smooth skin and maintain a clear face contour, chin. Exercise tones the body, improves local circulation and nutrition of the organs of the oral cavity.
The effect is noticeable after 2-3 weeks of regular practice. Not being able to visit cosmetologists and masseurs, you can take care of the muscles at home and even during the working day. To do this, it is enough to regularly perform 2-3 approaches of the simplest exercises: raising the chin, turning the head, tilting.