Dictionary > Hyoid bone

Hyoid bone

Definition
noun, plural: hyoid bones
The U-shaped bone that lies in the throat just below the tongue, and is surrounded by muscles and ligaments, and not directly attached to other bones; thus, it is suspended in position. Its chief function is to support the tongue muscles and thereby aid in vocalization or speech (as in humans)
Supplement
The hyoid bone has three major components: the body of the hyoid, a pair of greater cornu, and a pair of lesser cornu.
In humans, the hyoid bone is the result of the fusion of some bones of the hyoid apparatus. Its role is crucial in humans since it supports the tongue to enable wide range of vocalization and human speech.
Word origin: from the Greek word hyoeides meaning “shaped like the letter upsilon” (υ)
Also called:

  • os hyoideum

Synonym(s):

  • lingual bone
  • tongue bone
  • Related term(s):

    • hyoid apparatus
    • Lesser horn of hyoid bone
    • Horns of hyoid bone
    • Base of hyoid bone
    • Body of hyoid bone


    You will also like...

    squirrel
    Animal Water Regulation

    Animals adapt to their environment in aspects of anatomy, physiology, and behavior. This tutorial will help you understa..

    Plant Water Regulation
    Plant Water Regulation

    Plants need to regulate water in order to stay upright and structurally stable. Find out the different evolutionary adap..

    Water Cycle
    The Water Cycle

    The water cycle (also referred to as the hydrological cycle) is a system of continuous transfer of water from the air, s..

    Adaptation Tutorial
    Adaptation Tutorial

    Adaptation, in biology and ecology, refers to the process or trait through which organisms or the populations in a habit..

    Plant biology
    Plant Biology

    Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

    Early Earth
    The Origins of Life

    This tutorial digs into the past to investigate the origins of life. The section is split into geological periods in the..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics