The mylohyoid muscle is a flat, triangular muscle located in the floor of the mouth. It originates at the mylohyoid line, a ridge on the inner surface of the mandible (jawbone), and extends upward and backward to insert into the hyoid bone, a U-shaped bone located in the neck. The mylohyoid muscle is part of a group of muscles called the suprahyoid muscles, which are located above the hyoid bone and play a role in moving the hyoid bone and the mandible during swallowing and speaking.

The mylohyoid muscle has several important functions in the head and neck. It helps to lift the hyoid bone and the mandible during swallowing, and is also involved in the production of speech sounds. It also helps to support the floor of the mouth and the tongue, and can assist in keeping the airway open during respiration.

The mylohyoid muscle is innervated by the mylohyoid nerve, which is a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. It is a voluntary muscle, meaning that it can be controlled voluntarily by the person.

In some cases, the mylohyoid muscle may be surgically modified or altered to address certain medical conditions, such as problems with swallowing or speaking. It may also be used as a donor muscle for reconstructive surgery in the head and neck region.