The anterior belly arises from the digastric fossa on the inner surface of the mandibular body, which slopes downward and backward.

The intermediate tendon passes through a connective tissue loop attached to the hyoid bone.

[2] These four muscles have different actions, but in general assist in elevating the hyoid bone and widening the esophagus during swallowing.

The geniohyoid pulls the hyoid bone anterosuperiorly, shortening the floor of the mouth and widening the pharynx during swallowing.

The stylohyoid elevates and retracts the hyoid bone, elongating the floor of the mouth during swallowing.