[Morphology of the hyoid bone joint]

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Histology
• Radiology

Background:

• The hyoid bone, a unique U-shaped bone in the neck, plays a crucial role in swallowing and speech.
• The articulation between the hyoid body and its greater cornua has been debated regarding its true synovial nature, particularly in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anatomical and histological characteristics of the joint between the hyoid body and the greater cornua.
• To determine the prevalence and nature of this articulation in different age groups, including adults.
• To assess the implications of this joint's appearance on diagnostic imaging, specifically CT scans.

Main Methods:

• Anatomical dissection of the hyoid bone.
• Histological examination of joint tissues.
• Computed Tomography (CT) imaging analysis.

Main Results:

• The presence of an articular surface, capsule, and joint cavity was confirmed.
• These features indicate a true synovial articulation in numerous cases, extending beyond the neonatal period into adulthood.
• The joint cavity, appearing as a cleft on X-ray, can mimic a hyoid bone fracture.

Conclusions:

• The hyoid body-greater cornua joint is a true articulation in a significant proportion of adults.
• Radiologists and clinicians should be aware of this anatomical variant to avoid misdiagnosis of hyoid bone fractures.