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Hyoid bone
The hyoid is a U-shaped bone in the upper neck, below the mandible. It has a body, greater horns and lesser horns. It does not form a joint with another bone: muscles, the stylohyoid ligaments and membranes suspend it between the skull, mandible and larynx.
Function
An attachment platform for muscles of the tongue, floor of the mouth and larynx. Suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles coordinate its position during swallowing and speech; some suprahyoid muscles assist jaw opening when the hyoid is stabilized.
Source: NCBI: Hyoid bone · NCBI: Suprahyoid muscles
Related structures
This text is a draft and has not yet been reviewed by a dental professional. Educational reference only, not for diagnosis or treatment.