Hyoid
Hyoid
The Hyoid (pronounced: /ˈhaɪ.ɔɪd/) is a horseshoe-shaped bone situated in the anterior midline of the neck between the chin and the thyroid cartilage. It is the only bone in the human body that does not articulate with any other bone.
Etymology
The term "Hyoid" is derived from the Greek words "hyoeides", meaning "shaped like the letter upsilon (υ)". This is in reference to the shape of the bone.
Structure
The hyoid bone is located in the front, middle part of the neck, between the lower jaw and the largest cartilage of the larynx, known as the thyroid cartilage. It is suspended by some of the muscles and ligaments of the neck, allowing it to move freely. The hyoid bone provides attachment to the muscles of the floor of the mouth and the tongue above, the larynx below, and the pharynx behind.
Function
The primary function of the hyoid bone is to serve as an anchoring structure for the tongue. It assists in swallowing and speech by providing a place for muscles to attach.
Related Terms
- Thyroid cartilage: The largest of the nine cartilages that make up the laryngeal skeleton, the cartilage structure in the neck that houses the larynx.
- Larynx: Also known as the voice box, it is involved in breathing, producing sound, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration.
- Pharynx: The part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the esophagus and larynx – the tubes going down to the stomach and the lungs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hyoid
- Wikipedia's article - Hyoid
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