hyoid bone

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

hyoid bone
    n 1: a U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue that supports the
         tongue muscles [syn: {hyoid}, {hyoid bone}, {os hyoideum}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Hyoid \Hy"oid\, a. [Gr. ? fr. the letter [Upsilon] + e'i^dos
   form: cf. F. hyo["i]de.]
   1. Having the form of an arch, or of the Greek letter upsilon
      [[Upsilon]].
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the bony or cartilaginous arch
      which supports the tongue. Sometimes applied to the tongue
      itself.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Hyoid arch} (Anat.), the arch of cartilaginous or bony
      segments, which connects the base of the tongue with
      either side of the skull.

   {Hyoid bone} (Anat.), the bone in the base of the tongue, the
      middle part of the hyoid arch.
      [1913 Webster]