How Do You Spell MYLOHYOID?

Pronunciation: [mˈa͡ɪlə͡ʊɪˌɔ͡ɪd] (IPA)

The spelling of the word Mylohyoid may appear daunting at first glance, but an understanding of IPA phonetic transcription can help to break it down. The word is pronounced /maɪ.loʊˈhaɪ.ɔɪd/ and refers to a muscle located in the neck that is responsible for raising the hyoid bone. The spelling of the word reflects the Latin roots of the term, with "mylo" meaning "molar" and "hyoid" referring to the bone it acts upon. While the spelling may be challenging, understanding the pronunciation and meaning of the word can aid in medical terminology comprehension.

MYLOHYOID Meaning and Definition

  1. The mylohyoid is a muscular structure located in the floor of the mouth, specifically in the submandibular region. It is categorized as a paired, flat muscle that appears to run in a symmetrical manner on both sides of the midline. The term "mylohyoid" is derived from its anatomical position between the mandible or lower jaw bone (mylo-) and the hyoid bone (-hyoid).

    This muscle plays a significant role in various important functions, especially those related to swallowing and speech. It functions primarily to elevate and support the floor of the mouth, contributing to the movements involved in swallowing food or liquid. Specifically, the mylohyoid elevates the hyoid bone and floor of the mouth, thus helping to prevent choking by keeping the airway clear during swallowing. It also assists in stabilizing the hyoid bone during speech and other oral activities, contributing to proper articulation and vocalization.

    The mylohyoid muscle is innervated by the mylohyoid nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). It receives its blood supply from branches of the facial artery and ultimately aids in maintaining the integrity and functionality of the structures in the submandibular region. Dysfunction or damage to the mylohyoid muscle can impair swallowing, speech, and overall oral functions.

  2. Relating to the molar teeth, or posterior portion of the lower jaw, and to the hyoid bone; noting various structures; see under nervus, musculus, and sulcus.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for MYLOHYOID

Etymology of MYLOHYOID

The word "mylohyoid" is formed by combining two roots: "mylo-" and "-hyoid".

The first part of the word, "mylo-", is derived from the Greek word "mylōn", meaning "a mill". It refers to the shape of the muscle that resembles a millstone or a ground surface.

The second part of the word, "-hyoid", is derived from another Greek word, "húoeidēs", meaning "shaped like a horseshoe". It is used to refer to the hyoid bone, a U-shaped bone in the neck region.

Therefore, the term "mylohyoid" describes a muscle located in the neck region that has a shape similar to a millstone, and is related to the hyoid bone.

Plural form of MYLOHYOID is MYLOHYOIDS

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