Omohyoid muscle

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: Muscles of the Anterior Neck1
Figure 2: Hypoglossal nerve, cervical plexus, and their respective branches2 
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Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Action
Omohyoid Tenses cervical fascia (via intermediate tendon)

Origin

Insertion

Innervation

Figure 3: Path of the Hypoglossal nerve2

Action

Strain-Counterstrain

Source:3 Location of Tender Point:

  1. Anterior surface of inferior belly and central tendon just above mid-clavicle. Push posterior.
  2. Superior border of scapula.

Anatomical Correlation:

  • Inferior belly of omohyoideus.

Direction to Press on Tender Point:

  1. Press posteriorly.
  2. Press caudad.

Treatment Position(s):

  • Patient supine, you sit at head of table.
  • Have patient use hand on the affected side to grasp their opposite shoulder, to protract affected scapula forward.
  • Ipsilateral sidebend neck to Tender Point side.
  • Push hyoid bone toward Tender Point side.

Frequency of Occurrence: Common.

Clinical Correlation(s):

  • Cervical pain
  • Anterior shoulder pain
  • Scapula pain
  • Supraclavicular pain
  • Elbow/hand pain
  • Mandible pain
  • Thoracic outlet symptoms
  • Temporal pain

References

1.
Betts JG, Blaker W. Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details
2.
Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/
3.
Myers HL, Devine WH, Fossum C, et al. Compendium Edition: Clinical Application of Counterstrain. Compendium ed. Osteopathic Press; 2012.

Citation

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