Bone · Neck

Hyoid bone

Os hyoideum

The hyoid is a small U-shaped bone in the front of the neck, just above the voice box. It is unique in the body: it joins no other bone. Instead it hangs in a sling of muscles running up to the jaw and skull and down to the breastbone and shoulder blade, which use it as a moving anchor for swallowing and speech. You can feel it rise under a fingertip every time you swallow.