hyoid

American  

[hahy-oid] / ˈhaɪ ɔɪd /

adjective

1. Also hyoidal hyoidean noting or pertaining to a U -shaped bone at the root of the tongue in humans, or a corresponding bone or collection of bones in animals.

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noun

1. the hyoid bone.

hyoid British  

/ ˈhaɪɔɪd /

adjective

1. of or relating to the hyoid bone

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noun

1. the horseshoe-shaped bone that lies at the base of the tongue and above the thyroid cartilage

2. a corresponding bone or group of bones in other vertebrates

Other Word Forms

• posthyoid
  adjective
• subhyoid
  adjective
• subhyoidean
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of hyoid

1700–10; < New Latin hȳoïdes < Greek hȳoeidḗs, shaped like the letter hypsilon (i.e. upsilon), equivalent to hȳ- (derivative of letter name hŷ, variant of ŷ; see upsilon) + -oeidēs -oid

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hyoid

Traditionally, scientists rely on larger bones like ribs or femurs for this type of analysis, but the results suggest the hyoid may be just as useful.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 15, 2026

"The growth series in our Dino Hall was critical to demonstrating that the hyoid in Tyrannosaurus showed the same kind of growth record as long bones," Morris explained.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 9, 2025

Another gill arch eventually evolved into a head bone called the hyoid.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 1, 2023

When fish feed, muscles supporting these structures generate suction by depressing and retracting the hyoid and expanding the gill slits to draw water in.

From Science Magazine ● May 24, 2023

The hypohyal and ceratohyal bones of the hyoid apparatus are distinct from one another in juveniles and young, but are fused in subadults, adults, and old adults.

From Geographic Distribution and Taxonomy of the Chipmunks of Wyoming by John A. White

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