Which muscle depresses the hyoid bone?

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Multiple Choice

Which muscle depresses the hyoid bone?

Explanation:
Depressing the hyoid bone is done by muscles that pull the hyoid downward toward the sternum. The sternohyoid fits this action: it runs from the sternum to the hyoid, and its contraction lowers the hyoid. The other muscles listed have opposite or different roles in hyoid movement—stylohyoid elevates and retracts the hyoid, geniohyoid pulls the hyoid forward and upward, and mylohyoid elevates the floor of the mouth and the hyoid. So the sternohyoid best accounts for the downward movement of the hyoid.

Depressing the hyoid bone is done by muscles that pull the hyoid downward toward the sternum. The sternohyoid fits this action: it runs from the sternum to the hyoid, and its contraction lowers the hyoid. The other muscles listed have opposite or different roles in hyoid movement—stylohyoid elevates and retracts the hyoid, geniohyoid pulls the hyoid forward and upward, and mylohyoid elevates the floor of the mouth and the hyoid. So the sternohyoid best accounts for the downward movement of the hyoid.

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