Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
14:02
Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles
Published on: November 1, 2012
Does age play a role in mylohyoideus muscle function?
A Jégo1, P Chassagne, I Landrin-Dutot
1Service de Médecine Gériatrique and Digestive Tract Research Group, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France.
Neurogastroenterology and Motility
|February 13, 2001
Summary
Age does not significantly impact mylohyoideus muscle asynchronisms during swallowing in healthy adults. Most asynchronisms are brief and occur frequently, with no linear relationship to aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Physiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Swallowing disorders are common in the elderly population.
- The mylohyoideus muscle plays a crucial role in the initial phase of swallowing.
- Understanding age-related changes in muscle function is vital for geriatric health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between aging and mylohyoideus muscle contraction during swallowing.
- To determine if age affects the frequency and duration of mylohyoideus muscle asynchronisms.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 120 healthy subjects across four age groups.
- Electromyographic (EMG) recording of mylohyoideus muscle activity during swallowing.
- Comparison of asynchronism frequency and duration among age cohorts.
Main Results:
- Mylohyoideus muscle asynchronisms were observed in 98% of subjects, predominantly short-lasting (<0.1s).
- No significant differences were found in the mean number, duration, or frequency of long-lasting asynchronisms across age groups.
- A linear relationship between asynchronism duration and aging was not identified in healthy elderly individuals.
Conclusions:
- Aging does not appear to linearly affect the duration or frequency of mylohyoideus muscle asynchronisms in healthy individuals.
- The presence of one or more long-lasting asynchronisms or at least six asynchronisms in 10 swallows may indicate an abnormality.
More Related Videos
10:10Preparation and Culture of Myogenic Precursor Cells/Primary Myoblasts from Skeletal Muscle of Adult and Aged Humans
Published on: February 16, 2017
05:50Subcutaneous Neurotrophin 4 Infusion Using Osmotic Pumps or Direct Muscular Injection Enhances Aging Rat Laryngeal Muscles
Published on: June 13, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:26Cross-bridge Cycle
As muscle contracts, the overlap between the thin and thick filaments increases, decreasing the length of the sarcomere—the contractile unit of the muscle—using energy in the form of ATP. At the molecular level, this is a cyclic, multistep process that involves binding and hydrolysis of ATP, and movement of actin by myosin.
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:12The Hyoid Bone
The hyoid bone is a small U-shaped bone located in the upper neck at the level of the inferior mandible, with its tips pointing posteriorly. It does not directly articulate with any other bone in the body. The hyoid acts as the attachment site for the tongue, the larynx, and the pharynx. It is held in position by a series of small muscles attached from above or below. These muscles help to move the hyoid up/down or forward/back in coordination with movements of the tongue, larynx, and pharynx...
01:26Muscles of the Anterior Neck
The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. These muscles are classified into three subgroups. The first one is the superficial muscles, the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. It includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The second group is the suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. Lastly, the infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and...
01:11Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...