Clinico-anatomical revelation of a rare bilaminar constitution of the Geniohyoid muscle

Abstract

Geniohyoid (GH) plays a vital role in maintaining upper airway patency and anomalies pertaining to this muscle should not be overlooked. In fact, a careful recognition of these variations is mandatory while planning any interventional procedure in the suprahyoid region. We report a rare muscular anomaly in the suprahyoid region of the neck. The significance of the stratification of the GH muscle could be related to the physiological role of the muscle of elevating the larynx during deglutition. Additionally, GH is an important muscle which is preferably preserved in procedures such as mandibulotomy. The presence of this unusual constitution of GH muscle could possibly alter the steps of this operational procedure. While performing routine educational dissection, the suprahyoid region displayed a rare bilaminar constitution of the Geniohyoid (GH) muscle bilaterally. The configuration of Geniohyoid muscle revealed stratification into two layers or lamina, superficial and deep. The attachments of the muscle were as usual and the deep lamina of GH was found to be in the same plane as Genioglossus muscle. The accessory muscles received innervation from the hypoglossal nerve.