The Hyoid Bone
The hyoid bone is a ‘U’ shaped structure located in the anterior neck. It lies at the
base of the mandible (approximately C3), where it acts as a site of attachment for
the anterior neck muscles.
In this article, we shall look at the anatomical structure, muscular attachments and
clinical relevance of the hyoid bone.
Fig 1 – Position of the hyoid bone in the neck.
Structure
The hyoid is composed of a body, two greater horns and two lesser horns:
Body – the central part of the bone. It has an anterior convex surface and a
concave posterior surface.
Greater horn – projects from each end of the body in a posterior, superior and
lateral direction. It acts as a site of attachment for numerous neck muscles.
Lesser horn – arises from the superior aspect of the hyoid bone, near the origin of
the greater horn. It projects superoposteriorly (toward the styloid process of the
temporal bone). The stylohyoid ligament attaches to the apex of the lesser horn.
The hyoid bone is a ‘U’ shaped structure located in the anterior neck. It lies at the
base of the mandible (approximately C3), where it acts as a site of attachment for
the anterior neck muscles.
In this article, we shall look at the anatomical structure, muscular attachments and
clinical relevance of the hyoid bone.
Fig 1 – Position of the hyoid bone in the neck.
Structure
The hyoid is composed of a body, two greater horns and two lesser horns:
Body – the central part of the bone. It has an anterior convex surface and a
concave posterior surface.
Greater horn – projects from each end of the body in a posterior, superior and
lateral direction. It acts as a site of attachment for numerous neck muscles.
Lesser horn – arises from the superior aspect of the hyoid bone, near the origin of
the greater horn. It projects superoposteriorly (toward the styloid process of the
temporal bone). The stylohyoid ligament attaches to the apex of the lesser horn.
