Hyoid bone

Free-floating bone of the neck

Head & neckSkeletal system

High-yield

Only bone that articulates with no other bone; anchors the tongue. Fracture is a marker of strangulation in forensics.

Overview

A U-shaped bone in the anterior neck that anchors the tongue and larynx and articulates with no other bone, suspended by muscles and ligaments.

Reference facts

Bone type
Irregular (U-shaped)
Key landmarks
Body; Greater horns (cornua); Lesser horns (cornua)
Articulations
None (suspended by muscles and ligaments)

✚

Educational reference. This page summarizes standard anatomy study concepts. It is not medical advice and must not be used for diagnosis, treatment, surgical planning, or any clinical decision-making.

Your notes

Region

Head & neck — Skull, face, and neck — muscles of mastication and expression, and the cranial nerves.

All head & neck structures

Study this

Reinforce the Hyoid bone with flashcards and quiz practice.

Flashcards Quiz

Common carotid artery

Main artery to the head and neck

Bone

Frontal bone

Forehead and orbital roofs

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Parietal bone

Roof and sides of the cranium

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Temporal bone

Houses the ear

Bone

Occipital bone

Back and base of the skull

Bone

Sphenoid bone

Keystone of the cranial base

AnatomyDeck

210 structures · 680 flashcards · quizzes. A study reference for human gross anatomy.

AnatomyDeck is an educational study reference for human anatomy coursework. It is not medical advice and is not a tool for diagnosis, treatment, surgical planning, or any clinical decision-making. Always defer to your instructors, dissection materials, current references, and licensed professionals.