Hyoid bone

Definition

The hyoid bone is a U-shaped bone located in the anterior neck, between the lower jaw and the larynx. It serves as an attachment site for muscles associated with swallowing and speech.

Related terms

Axial Skeleton:

The part of the skeleton that includes the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum.

Larynx:

A complex structure in the neck that houses the vocal cords and is involved in breathing, producing sound, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration.

Pharyngeal Muscles: A group of muscles that assist in swallowing by helping to push food from the mouth into the esophagus