Hyoid
/ˈhaɪ.ɔɪd/noun
A small U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue and helps with swallowing and speech.
Did you know?The hyoid is unusual because it does not directly articulate with any other bone; instead, muscles and ligaments suspend it in the neck, much like a biological talisman.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weyd-
“To see or know through seeing”
Ancient Greek
Greek
εἶδος (eîdos)
“Form, shape, or visible appearance”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὑοειδής (huoeidḗs)
“Upsilon-shaped; resembling the letter Υ”
17th Century
New Latin
hyoides
“The U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue”
Modern English
English
hyoid
“The small U-shaped bone supporting the tongue and related muscles”