hyoid bone

noun

variants or less commonly hyoid

plural hyoid bones also hyoids

: a U-shaped bone or complex of bones that is situated between the base of the tongue and the larynx and that supports the tongue, the larynx, and their muscles

Examples of hyoid bone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Upon arriving at the hospital, doctors determined that the colorful bird — belonging to the same family as crows and jays — had left quite a bit of damage, including multiple fractures in Montalva's left cheekbone and a rare fracture of the hyoid bone in her neck. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

Carbon fiber rods stand in for the woodpecker’s beak, while bent carbon fiber strips work in place of the hyoid bone. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025

After observing the autopsy, Baden claimed that Epstein's injuries—including fractures in the hyoid bone—were more typical of homicidal strangulation than suicide. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025

The hyoid bone in her neck was also reportedly broken, which can occur during strangulation. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin hyoides, from Greek hyoeidēs shaped like the letter upsilon (Υ, υ), being the hyoid bone, from y, hy upsilon

First Known Use

circa 1811, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hyoid bone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Medical Definition

hyoid bone

noun

: a U-shaped bone or complex of bones that is situated between the base of the tongue and the larynx and that supports the tongue, the larynx, and their muscles

called also hyoid, lingual bone