hyoepiglotticum

Hyoepiglotticum is a Latin adjectival term used in anatomy to describe structures associated with both the hyoid bone and the epiglottis. In practice, it is most often encountered in descriptions of the ligamentous connections between these two components of the larynx, most notably the hyoepiglottic ligament.

The hyoepiglottic ligament connects the hyoid bone to the epiglottis, helping to suspend and stabilize the epiglottis as the larynx moves during swallowing and phonation. This connection is commonly discussed together with the surrounding mucosal fold, sometimes referred to as the hyoepiglottic fold, which forms part of the anterior wall of the laryngeal inlet. In many anatomical texts, the term hyoepiglotticum is used to denote the region of these connections rather than a separate structural entity.

Clinical relevance is typically indirect but important: the integrity and mobility of the epiglottis can be affected by pathology or procedures near the hyoid-epiglottic complex, potentially impacting airway protection and swallowing. Inflammation, trauma, or surgical intervention in this area can alter epiglottic movement and raise the risk of aspiration.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from the Latin for the hyoid bone and the epiglottis and is employed in comparative and descriptive anatomy to characterize features linking these two anatomical elements.