Hyoid Bone

Description

Hyoid bone

Name

• Hyoid Bone
• Lingual bone
• Tongue bone

General

• U-shaped structure located in the anterior neck
• Lies at the base of the mandible at approximately C3
• Attachment for anterior neck muscles
• Unique in that it does not articulate with any other bones
• It is suspended in place by muscles and ligaments

Structure

• Body: central part of bone, anteriorly convex and posteriorly concave
• Greater horn: projects from each end of body in posterior, superior and lateral direction
• Lesser horn: arises from superior aspect of body, projects superoposteriorly

Muscles Attachments: Oral Cavity and Pharynx

• Middle Pharyngeal Constrictor
• Hyoglossus
• Genioglossus

Muscles Attachments: Suprahyoid Muscle Group

• Digastric Muscle
• Stylohyoid Muscle
• Geniohyoid Muscle
• Mylohyoid Muscle

Muscles Attachments: Infrahyoid

• Thyrohyoid
• Omohyoid
• Sternohyoid

Ligament Attachments

• Stylohyoid ligament
• Thyrohyoid membrane
• Hyoepiglottic ligament

---

Clinical Significance

• Fracture of the Hyoid Bone

---

See Also

• Neck Pain Main
• Physical Exam Neck
• Anatomy Main

---