Skull · Irregular bone
Hyoid Bone
The hyoid is a small U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue and helps with swallowing and speech. Unusually, it is the only bone in the body that does not touch any other bone.
What it is
The hyoid is a small, horseshoe-shaped bone sitting in the front of the neck, held in place entirely by muscles and ligaments.
Where it is
The front of the neck, above the voice box (larynx) and below the jaw.
What it does
Anchors the tongue and the muscles of the floor of the mouth, and supports swallowing and speech.
When things go wrong
Common injuries and conditions
- Hyoid fracture (rare; of forensic interest as it can occur in strangulation)
Education and reference only. This explains the anatomy in plain terms; it is not a diagnosis. A severe injury, a visibly deformed limb, or the inability to move or bear weight needs urgent assessment — call 999 or go to A&E for a serious injury.
Did you know?
An interesting fact
The hyoid is the only bone in the human body that is not connected to any other bone — it "floats", held by muscles alone.
Answers
Hyoid Bone: frequently asked questions
What is the hyoid bone?
The hyoid is a small U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue and helps with swallowing and speech. It is the only bone that does not join another bone.
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Related bones
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Anatomy and body systems
- Gray's Anatomy for Students (Drake, Vogl, Mitchell)
- TeachMeAnatomy — skeletal system
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