Structure and location
The body of the hyoid bone (corpus ossis hyoidei) is an unpaired, anterior, more massive part of the hyoid bone (os hyoideum). The hyoid bone consists of a body and two pairs of horns: the greater horns (cornu majus) and lesser horns (cornu minus).
The body is located in the neck region above the larynx, at the level of the third cervical vertebra (C3). When orienting an anatomical specimen, it is important to note that the anterior border is more convex.
The greater horns (cornu majus) project posteriorly and laterally. The lesser horns (cornu minus) are small cone-shaped projections at the junction of the body and the greater horns; the stylohyoid ligament (lig. stylohyoideum) usually passes through them. The body of the hyoid bone does not articulate with other bones and is suspended by muscles and ligaments.
Which muscles attach to the body?
The following muscles attach to the body of the hyoid bone:
- Mylohyoid muscle (m. mylohyoideus). It originates from the mylohyoid line of the mandible and attaches to the body of the hyoid bone, as well as to the median raphe (raphe mylohyoidea). This muscle elevates the hyoid bone and the floor of the mouth, and when the bone is fixed, it depresses the mandible. It is innervated by the mylohyoid nerve (n. mylohyoideus) from the trigeminal nerve (n. trigeminus), and receives its blood supply from the sublingual and submental arteries (aa. sublingualis, submentalis).
- Omohyoid muscle (m. omohyoideus). It originates from the superior border of the scapula (margo superior scapulae) and attaches to the body of the hyoid bone. The muscle has two bellies—superior and inferior—connected by an intermediate tendon attached to the clavicle. Function: tenses the cervical fascia and depresses the hyoid bone. Innervation: ansa cervicalis (ansa cervicalis, C1–C3). Blood supply: inferior thyroid artery and transverse scapular artery (a. thyroidea inferior, a. transversa scapulae).
Topography and clinical significance
The body of the hyoid bone serves as the posterior boundary of the fascial space of the submental region.
Other boundaries of this space include:
- Superior boundary: mylohyoid muscle, covered inferiorly by the deep lamina of the deep cervical fascia.
- Lateral boundaries: anterior bellies of the digastric muscle.
- Inferior boundary: superficial fascia of the neck.
Submental lymph nodes are located within this fascial space.
Odontogenic sources of abscesses and phlegmons in the submental region are pathological processes in the periapical tissues of the mandibular incisors and canines.
Class and exam questions
What bones does the body of the hyoid bone articulate with?
The body of the hyoid bone does not articulate with other bones. It is suspended by muscles and ligaments.
At what spinal level is the body of the hyoid bone located?
It is located above the larynx at the level of the third cervical vertebra (C3).
What fascial space is bounded by this structure?
The body of the hyoid bone serves as the posterior boundary of the fascial space of the submental region. Submental lymph nodes are located within this space.
What else to study on this topic
- Hyoid bone (Os hyoideum) and its horns
- Mylohyoid muscle (m. mylohyoideus)
- Omohyoid muscle (m. omohyoideus)
- Topography of the submental region of the neck
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