Which muscle group elevates the larynx by lifting the hyoid bone?

• A. Infrahyoid muscles
• B. Intrinsic laryngeal muscles
• C. Suprahyoid muscles
• D. Cricothyroid

Answer: (C)

Elevating the larynx happens when the hyoid bone is pulled upward by muscles that attach above it. The suprahyoid group does this: they attach to the hyoid from above and, when they contract, lift the hyoid and the larynx. This includes muscles like the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid, which work together especially during swallowing to raise the larynx and protect the airway. In contrast, the infrahyoid muscles pull the hyoid downward, lowering the larynx; intrinsic laryngeal muscles operate primarily within the larynx to adjust vocal cord tension and glottal opening, not to move the hyoid. The cricothyroid muscle also acts inside the larynx to tilt the thyroid cartilage and tense the vocal cords, not to elevate the larynx. So, the group that elevates the larynx by lifting the hyoid bone is the suprahyoid muscles.