Which muscle runs from the mastoid process to the inferior border of the mandible via a tendinous sling on the hyoid bone?

• A. Digastric
• B. Mylohyoid
• C. Geniohyoid
• D. Omohyoid

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is the digastric muscle, which has two muscle bellies connected by an intermediate tendon that loops through a fibrous sling on the body of the hyoid. The posterior belly originates at the mastoid process and runs to this tendon, while the anterior belly extends from the tendon to the digastric fossa on the lower border of the mandible. This arrangement allows the muscle to span from the mastoid region to the mandible via the hyoid sling, and it helps elevate the hyoid and assist in depressing the mandible (opening the mouth) during swallowing and speech. Other muscles listed either attach to the mandible or the hyoid in different ways and do not form this mastoid-to-mandible path via a hyoid sling.