The hyoid bone

Question 1

The hyoid bone is also known as the…

Answer 1

lingual bone

Question 2

Origin of the word “hyoid” :

Answer 2

Greek word hyoeides = “shaped like the letter upsilon” (υ)

Question 3

What is the hyoid bone shaped like?

Answer 3

The hyoid bone is shaped like a horseshoe

Question 4

The hyoid bone is…

Answer 4

suspended from the tips of the styloid processes

Question 5

Where is the hyoid bone situated?

Answer 5

Situated between chin & thyroid cartilage

Question 6

Where does the hyoid bone lie at rest?

Answer 6

At rest- lies at level of C3 behind & base of mandible in front

Question 7

How is the hyoid bone suspended?

Answer 7

Suspended in position by ligaments & muscles

Question 8

What does the hyoid bone provide?

Answer 8

Provides attachment to floor of mouth, tongue above, larynx

below, epiglottis & pharynx behind

Question 9

The hyoid bone is not…

Answer 9

articulated to any other

bone

Question 10

What is the hyoid bone supported by and what does it support?

Answer 10

Supported by muscles of neck
& in turn supports root of
tongue

Question 11

Describe the hyoid bone.

Answer 11

The hyoid bone has a U-shaped body, 2

greater, 2 lesser horns and is a very mobile bone

Question 12

The hyoid bone has a….

Answer 12

large number of muscles

attached to it

Question 13

Where does the hyoid bone lie?

Answer 13

Lies in the neck just above larynx
(body lies opposite C3
vertebra) & below mandible

Question 14

List parts of the hyoid bone.

Answer 14

• Lesser horn
• Greater horn
• Body

Question 15

The body of the hyoid bone has two surfaces and two borders, namely :

Answer 15

Anterior, posterior surfaces; upper, lower borders

Question 16

The anterior surface of the body has a median ridge. What does the median ridge do?

Answer 16

The median ridge divides the body into two lateral halves

Question 17

Describe the posterior surface.

Answer 17

The posterior surface is concave

Question 18

What is the lateral end of the body continuous with?

Answer 18

The lateral end of the is continuous with the greater horn

Question 19

Describe the greater horn of hyoid bone.

Answer 19

The greater horn of the hyoid bone is flattened from above downwards

Question 20

How does each cornu[of the greater horn] taper?

Answer 20

Each cornu tapers posteriorly

Question 21

What does each cornu[of the greater horn] end in?

Answer 21

Each cornu ends in a tubercle

Question 22

The greater horn has 2 surfaces and 2 borders, namely :

Answer 22

2 surfaces (upper & lower); 2 borders (medial, lateral)

Question 23

Describe the lesser horn of the hyoid bone.

Answer 23

The lesser horn of the hyoid bone is small conical pieces of bone

Question 24

The lesser horn projects…

Answer 24

upwards from the junction of the body and the greater horn

Question 25

What connects the lesser horn to the body?

Answer 25

Fibrous tissue

Question 26

What does the attachments of the hyoid bone form?

Answer 26

The attachments of the hyoid bone form a base for the tongue

Question 27

The attachments of the hyoid bone are suspended in position by muscles that connect it to the :

Answer 27

mandible
styloid process
thryoid cartilage
sternum
scapula

Question 28

Name the groups of muscular attachments.

Answer 28

• Oral cavity and pharynx
• Suprahyoid
• Infrahyoid

Question 29

Groups of Muscular Attachments - Oral cavity and pharynx :

Answer 29

• Middle pharyngeal constrictor
• Hyoglossus
• Genioglossus

Question 30

Groups of Muscular Attachments - Suprahyoid :

Answer 30

Digastric
Stylohyoid
Geniohyoid
Mylohyoid

Question 31

Groups of Muscular Attachments - Infrahyoid :

Answer 31

Thyrohyoid
Omohyoid
Sternohyoid

Question 32

Muscles attached to the hyoid bone from above :

Answer 32

• Mylohyoid
• Geniohyoid
• Fascia of 
stylohyoid
• Fascia of
digastric
tendon

Question 33

Muscles running up to the hyoid bone :

Answer 33

• Sternohyoid *Superior belly of omohyoid

* Thyrohyoid

Question 34

Name the ligaments attached to the hyoid bone.

Answer 34

• Stylohyoid ligament
• Thyrohyoid membrane
• Lateral thyrohyoid ligament

Question 35

The stylohyoid ligament runs from the…

Answer 35

apex of styloid

process to lesser horn

Question 36

The thyrohyoid membrane is attached to the…

Answer 36

upper border
of bone – separated from
posterior surface by
retrohyoid bursa

Question 37

The lateral thyrohyoid ligament runs from the…

Answer 37

tip of greater
horn to superior horn of
thyroid cartilage

Question 38

Ossification of the hyoid bone has…

Answer 38

Six centers :
2 for the body
1 for each cornu

Question 39

Where does the ossification of the hyoid bone commence?

Answer 39

Ossification commences in greater cornua toward end of fetal life, in body shortly afterward, & in lesser cornua during 1st or 2nd year after birth

Question 40

Why are fractures to the hyoid bone rare?

Answer 40

Fractures to the hyoid bone are quite rare due to
protection of the bone by the mandible and cervical
spine.

Question 41

What are fractures to hyoid bone associated with?

Answer 41

However, fractures are generally associated with
strangulation (found in approximately 1/3 of all
homicides by strangulation); therefore, fractures of
the hyoid are significant in post-mortem findings.

Question 42

Why would a fracture[to the hyoid bone] occur?

Answer 42

Fractures can also occur as a result of trauma, with
clinical features of pain on speaking, odynophagia
(painful swallowing) and dyspnea (difficulty
breathing)