ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site hyoid A small, U-shaped bone situated centrally in the upper part of the neck, beneath the mandible but above the larynx near the level of the third cervical vertebra. The hyoid is (uniquely in the vertebrate skeleton) not joined to any other bone but is suspended by the stylohyoid ligaments from the styloid process of each temporal bone at the base of the skull. It is formed from three separate parts – the body, and the left and right greater and lesser cornu (horns) – which fuse in early adulthood. The function of the hyoid is to provide an anchor point for the muscles of the tongue and for those in the upper part of the front of the neck. The hyoid bone can be felt by pressing one's finger into the crease where the chin becomes the neck. Related entry human skeleton Related category    • ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP