The hyoid bone is a small horseshoe-shaped bone located between the mandible and the shoulder girdle. It is classified as a sesamoid bone which means it is a freely floating bone. However, it is anything but freely floating. The hyoid bone is a vestigial structure and is found as part of the tongue in lower animal forms. The hyoid bone is attached to the base of the skull, the mandible, the tongue, the larynx, and the scapular belt. Even though the hyoid bone is an important structure, it has not received the attention that it deserves. It participates in the function of speech, respiration, mastication, and swallowing, as well as maintaining the patency of the airway between the oropharynx and the tracheal rings. Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the hyoid is necessary for recognition of the clinical presentation of related disorders and syndromes.

中文翻译：

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舌骨：概述。

舌骨是下颌骨和肩带之间的小马蹄形骨头。它被归类为芝麻骨，这意味着它是自由漂浮的骨。但是，它除了自由浮动外什么都没有。舌骨是一种残余结构，在下部动物的形式中被发现为舌头的一部分。舌骨附着在颅骨，下颌骨，舌头，喉和肩belt带的底部。即使舌骨是重要的结构，它也没有受到应有的重视。它参与语音，呼吸，咀嚼和吞咽功能，并保持口咽和气管环之间的气道通畅。