The stylohyoid muscle is a small, slender muscle located in the neck. It originates at the styloid process, a bony projection on the lower part of the skull, and extends downward and backward to insert into the hyoid bone, a U-shaped bone located in the neck. The stylohyoid muscle is part of a group of muscles called the infrahyoid muscles, which are located below the hyoid bone and play a role in moving the hyoid bone and the mandible during swallowing and speaking.

The stylohyoid 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 stylohyoid muscle is innervated by the facial nerve, which is a cranial nerve that controls the muscles of the face. It is a voluntary muscle, meaning that it can be controlled voluntarily by the person.

In some cases, the stylohyoid 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.