Question

Based on the muscular anatomy of the anterior trianlge, explain why the hyoid bone and the larynx move simultaneously during swallowing and speaking

Answer 1

The anterior triangle is located in the neck region and contains suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles. The hyoid bone acts as a point of attachment for several muscles in the neck and head. It floats freely in the neck. It is unique in the sense that it is not attached to any other bone.

During mastication and swallowing, larynx and hyoid bone are pulled forward and upward by the contraction of the thyrohyoid muscle and suorahyoid muscle. It is a protective mechanism that prevents aspiration of foreign particles into the trachea during and after swallowing.

Since the food that we eat and the air that we breathe travel the same path through the throat and esophagus, several protective mechanism ensure that food particles do not enter the air passage route.