Logo

    Related Topics

    From Musculoskeletal System

    Metatarsals (5 bones)
    5 bones forming the mid-foot.
    Facial Bones
    Bones forming the structure of the face.
    Ethmoid Bone
    Bone forming part of the nasal cavity and the orbit.
    Vertebral Column
    Spinal column consisting of vertebrae.
    Biceps Brachii
    Muscle responsible for elbow flexion.
    Ribs (12 Pairs)
    12 pairs of bones that form the sides of the thoracic cage.
    Clavicle
    Collarbone connecting the arm to the body.
    Lumbar Vertebrae (L1 - L5)
    Vertebrae in the lower back (L1-L5).
    Pubis
    Part of the pelvis that joins with the opposite side to form the pubic symphysis.
    Brachioradialis
    Muscle responsible for forearm flexion.
    Sternum
    Breastbone located in the center of the chest.
    Thoracic Vertebrae (T1 - T12)
    Vertebrae in the upper and mid-back (T1-T12).
    Patella
    Knee cap, protecting the knee joint.
    Occipital Bone
    Bone forming the back and base of the skull.
    Parietal Bones
    Bones forming the sides and roof of the skull.
    Gluteus Maximus
    Largest muscle in the buttocks responsible for hip extension.
    Gomphoses
    Fibrous joints where a peg fits into a socket (e.g., teeth in jaw).
    Fibula
    Smaller bone in the lower leg, located alongside the tibia.
    Flexor and Extensor Groups
    Muscles responsible for flexing and extending the hand and wrist.
    Ball-and-Socket Joints
    e.g., shoulder, hip
    Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
    Biceps Tendon
    Tendon that attaches the biceps muscle to the bone.
    Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the inner knee.
    Rotator Cuff Tendons
    Tendons of the rotator cuff muscles.
    Flexor Tendons
    Tendons that help flex the fingers and toes.

    Hyoid Bone

    Reviewed by our medical team

    U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue.

    1. Overview

    The hyoid bone is a small, U-shaped bone located in the anterior neck. Uniquely, it is the only bone in the human body that does not articulate directly with any other bone. Instead, it is suspended in place by muscles and ligaments. The hyoid serves as a crucial anchoring structure for the tongue, supports the larynx (voice box), and plays a vital role in swallowing and speech. It is often studied in anatomy due to its functional and forensic significance.

    2. Location

    The hyoid bone is located in the anterior midline of the neck:

    • Superiorly: Lies below the mandible (lower jaw).

    • Inferiorly: Positioned above the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple).

    • At the level of: Cervical vertebra C3 in a neutral position.

    • Surrounding structures: Connected to the floor of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and epiglottis by muscle and ligament attachments.

    3. Structure

    The hyoid bone has a characteristic horseshoe or U-shape and consists of three parts:

    • Body: The central part, thick and rectangular in shape.

    • Greater horns (cornua): Project posteriorly and laterally from the body; attachment sites for several muscles (e.g., middle constrictor, hyoglossus).

    • Lesser horns (cornua): Small, conical projections superior to the body; serve as attachment points for the stylohyoid ligament.

    The hyoid bone is made of compact bone and has a dense outer cortex with a medullary cavity. It is anchored by the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups.

    4. Function

    The hyoid bone serves as a dynamic anchor and support for several functions:

    • Supports the tongue: Acts as the base for tongue movement, aiding in speech and swallowing.

    • Assists in swallowing: Serves as a platform for the elevation of the larynx and movement of the pharynx during deglutition.

    • Facilitates speech: Supports vocalization by maintaining airway patency and stabilizing the larynx.

    • Acts as a muscle attachment site: Anchors over a dozen muscles involved in jaw, neck, and throat movement.

    5. Physiological role(s)

    Despite its small size, the hyoid bone plays critical physiological roles:

    • Respiration: Keeps the airway open by supporting the upper respiratory tract and indirectly preventing airway collapse during breathing.

    • Speech modulation: Works with the laryngeal cartilages and vocal cords to modulate pitch and volume.

    • Swallowing reflex: Coordinates with pharyngeal muscles to initiate and complete the swallowing mechanism safely.

    • Muscle coordination: Coordinates movements between the jaw, tongue, and larynx, critical in chewing and phonation.

    6. Clinical Significance

    The hyoid bone is associated with various clinical and forensic considerations:

    • Hyoid fracture:

      • Rare in accidental trauma but may occur in cases of manual strangulation or hanging, making it significant in forensic investigations.

    • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing):

      • Can result from dysfunction of muscles attached to the hyoid, particularly in neurological or post-surgical conditions.

    • Speech disorders:

      • Abnormal positioning or injury to the hyoid can affect tongue movement and vocal cord tension, impacting speech clarity.

    • Thyroglossal duct cysts:

      • Embryological remnants can form cysts near the hyoid, often requiring surgical excision that includes part of the hyoid bone (Sistrunk procedure).

    • Obstructive sleep apnea:

      • Inferior positioning of the hyoid is sometimes associated with upper airway obstruction, contributing to sleep apnea.

    Did you know? Tendons attach muscles to bones.