Thyrohyoid membrane

Thyrohyoid membrane
The ligaments of the larynx. Antero-lateral view.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Membrana thyreohyoidea, membrana hyothyreoidea
TA	A06.2.02.012
FMA	75347
Anatomical terminology []

The thyrohyoid membrane (or hyothyroid membrane) is a broad, fibro-elastic sheet of the larynx. It is attached below to the upper border of the thyroid cartilage and to the front of its superior cornu, and above to the upper margin of the posterior surface of the body and greater cornua of the hyoid bone, thus passing behind the posterior surface of the body of the hyoid. It is separated from the hyoid bone by a mucous bursa, which facilitates the upward movement of the larynx during swallowing.

Its middle thicker part is termed the median thyrohyoid ligament, its lateral thinner portions are pierced by the superior laryngeal vessels and the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Its anterior surface is in relation with the thyreohyoideus, sternohyoideus, and omohyoideus muscles, and with the body of the hyoid bone.

It is pierced by the internal laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal artery.

Thyrohyoid membrane

Thyrohyoid membrane

Thyrohyoid membrane

Muscles, nerves and arteries of neck. Deep dissection. Anterior view.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)