UNILATERAL OMOHYOID MUSCLE ABSENCE: A CADAVERIC CASE REPORT
A Rare variation of Omohyoid Muscle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52482/ayurline.v9i04.892Keywords:
Omohyoid, Surgical implication, Agenesis of OmohyoidAbstract
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: The omohyoid muscle is a slender infrahyoid muscle composed of two bellies (superior and inferior) connected by an intermediate tendon. It serves as a critical anatomical landmark in cervical lymph node classification, neck dissection surgeries, and brachial plexus exploration. Variations of this muscle, though uncommon, carry clinical significance due to their proximity to major neurovascular structures.
Main Clinical Finding: During routine cadaveric dissection of the neck in a 72-year-old Indian male cadaver, the complete unilateral absence of the omohyoid muscle on the left side was observed. The right side displayed a normal omohyoid muscle with both bellies and intermediate tendon intact.
Diagnosis: Congenital unilateral agenesis of the omohyoid muscle on the left side, identified during anatomical dissection.
Intervention: No clinical intervention was required, as the case was identified during anatomical dissection. The variation was thoroughly documented with anterior and lateral photographs for educational and academic reference.
Outcome: The absence of the omohyoid was confirmed to be congenital, as there was no evidence of trauma, surgery, or pathological changes. Recognition of this variation contributes to anatomical knowledge and highlights the importance of being vigilant about such anomalies during surgeries involving the neck.
Conclusion: This case highlights a rare anatomical variation—unilateral agenesis of the omohyoid muscle—which has significant clinical implications. Awareness of such variations is essential for accurate surgical navigation, diagnostic precision, and effective medical education. Documentation and reporting of such anomalies ensure better preparedness in both clinical and academic settings.
References
1. Moore KL. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 3rd ed. Williams & Wilkins. A Waverly Company; Baltimore: 1992. p. 797.
2. (ISSN: 2250-0359 Volume 5 Issue 4 2015 Drtbalu’s otolaryngology online TRAPEZOID SHAPED OMOHYOIDEUS MUSCLE: An Anatomic Variation seen in Functional Neck Dissection Lokman Uzun, Numan Kokten, Gul Ozbilen Acar Istanbul Medeniyet University Turkey)
3. Rai R, Ranade A, Nayak S, Vadgaonkar R, Mangala P, Krishnamurthy A. A study of anatomical variability of the omohyoid muscle and its clinical relevance. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2008 Aug;63(4):521-4. doi: 10.1590/s1807-59322008000400018. PMID: 18719765; PMCID: PMC2664130.
4. Tubbs R.S., Salter E.G., Oakes W.J. Unusual originof the omohyoid muscle. Clin. Anat., 2004;17: 578–582.
5. Kasapoglu F, Dokuzlar U. An Unknown variation of Omohyoid Muscle. Clin. Anat., 2007; 20:964-965.
6. S. Jacob, Chapter 7 - Head and neck, Editor(s): S. Jacob, Human Anatomy, Churchill Livingstone, 2008, Pages 181-225, ISBN 9780443103735, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-10373-5.50010-5.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ayurline: International Journal of Research in Indian Medicine
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
I Â declare (on behalf of me and my co-authors) that the submitted manuscript titled has not previously been published and is not currently being considered elsewhere for publication in another journal and that I am (we are) the sole owner(s) of the manuscript thereof and of all rights, title, and interest therein. All agreed to the terms and conditions, Privacy Policy, which is declared on Journal Website http://www.ayurline.in and online filled (uploaded) form.
Please read following declaration cum Agreement Carefully.:
I declare (on behalf of me and my co-authors) that the submitted manuscript titled has not previously been published and is not currently being considered elsewhere for publication in another journal and that I am (we are) the sole owner(s) of the manuscript thereof and of all rights, title, and interest therein.
I (We) agree (on behalf of me and my co-authors) to the following:
1- I (we) hereby assign to the publisher of the journal. Ayurline: International Journal of Research in Indian Medicine (IJ-RIM) the right to (Electronically and print) publish on website www.ayurline.in and distribute the said manuscript and to create a derivative print work from the said manuscript. The assignment shall be effective so long as the manuscript is available on online networks.
2- I (we) shall remain the owner of the copyright in said manuscript. I (we) may publish the manuscript in any other journal or medium but such publication must include the notice that the manuscript was first published by Ayurline: International Journal of Research in Indian Medicine (IJ-RIM) Journals including reference to the corresponding issue.
3- I (we) agree to hold the publisher of the Journal, Ayurline: International Journal of Research in Indian Medicine (IJ-RIM) harmless for any unauthorized use of the paper by the journal subscribers.
4- I (we) confirm that I (we) have obtained all the necessary all permissions to include in the paper items such as quotations, figures, and the results of government-sponsored research/private or individual publishers/owners.
5- I (we) enclose where necessary written permission of authors and publishers to use any copyright material (previously published figures and tables).
6- I (we) confirm that after the publication of my (our) manuscript in Ayurline: International Journal of Research in Indian Medicine (IJ-RIM), the publisher has the sole authority of the paper/Research Article. The publisher has the authority to use the content of the whole paper or part of it, in an edited book, or other mediums or withdraw (unpublish) the article without the permission of authors.
8- If I / We found victims of plagiarism, (e.g. text, images, videos etc.) I/ We sole responsible for such legal matters. I/We also declared that the Chief Editor/Publisher, Editorial Board of this Ayurline: International Journal of Research in Indian Medicine (IJ-RIM) Journal does not have any responsibility for plagiarism. Publisher shall not become any party in any legal matter and if any case is filed in court against plagiarisms or any copyright-related issues all expenses/Penalties should be paid/borne by me/we (Authors). I shall be obliged to pay all the costs of the court case if any happened in future.
7 -I voluntarily agreed to pay the necessary non-refundable evaluation fees of the my article, which are not the publication Charges.
8 - All disputes subject to Kurla, Mumbai court jurisdiction. This Copyright Licensing Agreement comes into force the day of sending this completed electronic form.
