Stylohyoid muscle

The Stylohyoid muscle is a slender muscle, lying in front of, and above the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. It shares this muscle's innervation by the facial nerve.

Origin and insertion
It arises from the back and lateral surface of the styloid process of the temporal bone, near the base; and, passing downward and forward, is inserted into the body of the hyoid bone, at its junction with the greater cornu, and just above the Omohyoideus. It thus belongs to the group of suprahyoid muscles.

It is perforated, near its insertion, by the tendon of the Digastricus.

Variations
It may be absent or doubled, lie beneath the carotid artery, or be inserted into the Omohyoideus, Thyreohyoideus, or Mylohyoideus.