The hyoid bone is the only bone in the human body that does not touch any other bone.

The hyoid bone is a U-shaped structure situated in the anterior midline of the neck between the chin and the thyroid cartilage. It is technically classified as a sesamoid bone because it is embedded within a complex network of muscles and ligaments rather than forming a joint with another bone. The primary anchors are the stylohyoid ligaments, which attach to the styloid processes of the temporal bone at the base of the skull.This anatomical arrangement is unique to humans and is a key factor in our ability to produce complex speech. By remaining unattached to the rest of the skeleton, the hyoid provides a highly mobile platform for the tongue and the larynx. This mobility allows the larynx to elevate during deglutition, or swallowing, to protect the airway and facilitate the movement of food into the esophagus.In 1937, Dr. Watt Weems Eagle first described a condition now known as Eagle Syndrome, which occurs when the stylohyoid ligament becomes calcified or the styloid process grows abnormally long. This mineralization can restrict the movement of the hyoid bone, leading to chronic throat pain and dysphagia. Forensic pathologists also study the hyoid bone closely, as a fractured hyoid is a classic medical indicator of manual strangulation in criminal investigations.