Name

# Hyoid Bone

Pronunciation

(hI-oid)

Notes

The hyoid bone (Os Hyoideum; "Lingual Bone") is a bone in the human neck, not articulated to any other bone; it is supported by the muscles of the neck and in turn supports the root of the tongue. Its name is derived from the Greek word hyoeides meaning "shaped like the letter upsilon" (?). The hyoid bone is shaped like a horseshoe, and is suspended from the tips of the styloid processes of the temporal bones by the stylohyoid ligaments. It consists of five segments: a body, two greater cornua, and two lesser cornua.