The stylohyoid branch of facial nerve provides motor innervation to the

stylohyoid muscle The stylohyoid muscle is one of the suprahyoid muscles. Its originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone; it inserts onto hyoid bone. It is innervated by a branch of the facial nerve. It acts draw the hyoid bone upwards and backwards. ...

. It frequently arises from the facial nerve (CN VII) in common with the

digastric branch of facial nerve The digastric branch of facial nerve provides motor innervation to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. It branches from the facial nerve (CN VII) near to the stylomastoid foramen as the CN VII exits the facial canal The facial canal ( ...

. It is long and slender. It enters the stylohyoid muscle at the middle portion of the muscle.

References

External links

* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-5.HTM Facial nerve {{Neuroanatomy-stub