Bone
Hyoid bone
Suspended anchor for tongue and laryngeal movement
High-yield
Identify the central body and the paired greater and lesser horns. The hyoid provides attachment for muscles acting on the tongue, floor of the mouth and larynx.
Overview
The hyoid is a small U-shaped bone in the anterior neck. Muscles and ligaments suspend it between the mandible and larynx, allowing it to move during swallowing and speech without forming a joint with another bone.
Reference facts
- Bone type
- Irregular, U-shaped bone
- Key landmarks
- Body, greater horns and lesser horns
- Articulations
- No articulation with another bone; supported by muscular and ligamentous attachments
Clinical correlation
Hyoid fracture, often involving a greater horn, may occur after strangulation or other neck trauma. It is a significant finding, but neither its presence nor its absence alone establishes the mechanism of injury.
Frequently asked questions
What type of bone is the hyoid bone?
The hyoid bone is an irregular, U-shaped bone bone.
What does the hyoid bone articulate with?
No articulation with another bone; supported by muscular and ligamentous attachments.
What are the key landmarks of the hyoid bone?
Key landmarks of the hyoid bone include the body, greater horns and lesser horns.