Musculus geniohyoideus
A strap muscle from the mandible to the hyoid bone. Draws the hyoid apparatus and tongue forward and assists in swallowing.
Origin: Medial surface of the mandible near the symphysis
Insertion: Basihyoid bone
Action: Draws the hyoid and tongue cranially; assists in swallowing and tongue protusion
Innervation: Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) and first cervical nerve (C1)
CN XII damage (from guttural pouch disease or retropharyngeal abscess) paralyzes the geniohyoideus and tongue muscles, causing inability to swallow.
CN XII damage (from guttural pouch disease or retropharyngeal abscess) paralyzes the geniohyoideus and tongue muscles, causing inability to swallow. Signs include: Food and water returning from the nostrils; inability to swallow; tongue hanging out or deviated; weight loss; aspiration pneumonia risk; often seen with guttural pouch mycosis or strangles complications.
See the Geniohyoideus on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model