Hyoid

The hyoid bone is a small, U-shaped bone in the anterior neck that lies between the mandible and the larynx. It is positioned at roughly the level of the third cervical vertebra and serves as a support structure for the tongue and the larynx. Unlike most other bones, it does not form a direct joint with any other bone; instead, it is suspended by a network of muscles and ligaments from the skull, mandible, and laryngeal/pharyngeal regions. Its position and attachments make it a key anchor for both the tongue muscles and several muscles of the neck involved in swallowing and speech.

Anatomically, the hyoid consists of a central body and two pairs of horn-like projections. The greater horns extend posteriorly from the body, while the lesser horns project upward toward the larynx. The bone is anchored to surrounding structures by ligaments and by muscles, including the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups, and by tongue muscles such as the genioglossus, hyoglossus, and styloglossus.

Developmentally, the hyoid arises from cartilaginous precursors associated with the second and third pharyngeal arches. The body and lesser horns are linked to the second arch (Reichert’s cartilage), while the greater horns relate to the third arch. Ossification occurs during childhood, with the bone maturing into a single structure in early adulthood.

Clinically, the hyoid is a useful landmark in neck imaging. Fractures of the hyoid are uncommon but may occur with blunt trauma or strangulation; in forensic contexts, hyoid fractures can support investigations of cause and manner of death, though absence of fracture does not exclude such events.