The Hyoid bone is a small (mostly U-shaped) bone located in the front of neck at level of 3rd cervical vertebra attached to several important ligaments and muscles. Despite being small, it's involved in breathing, chewing, swallowing and speech. In our study we aimed at determining age and sex differences regarding morphology and position of hyoid bone using 3D and 2D CT.
Our study was carried out retrospectively on head and neck CT scan films of 120 normal living Egyptian individuals which were done in Benha University hospitals. These individuals were divided into 3 age groups, each one contained 40 individuals. Group 1: from 20 to 39 years old, Group 2: from 40 to 59 years old and Group 3 : from 60 years old onwards. Each group contained 20 males and 20 females of the same age group. Through these CT films , some measurements were taken which were degree of fusion between hyoid body and greater horn , length and height of hyoid bone body , length of greater horn (mean value for 2 sides) , angle between body and greater horn (mean value for 2 sides) , hyoid width , hyoid length , MP.H. (Mandibular plane – hyoid distance) and H.RGn (Hyoid – Retroganthion distance). Different shapes of hyoid bone and their association with certain sex were recorded. These morphometric parameters were measured using RadiAnt DICOM viewer 4.2.1 (32 bits) program then the measurements were analyzed statistically in relation to age and sex.
After statistical analysis of the results, we found that there were significant differences between male and female regarding: shape, body length, body height, GH length, hyoid width, hyoid length and H.RGn..
As for age, there were statistically significant differences between age groups regarding fusion, and degree of fusion and body height and MP.H.
Specific correlations were found. There was inverse significant relationship between age and body height in all (i.e. the body height in all samples decreased as age increase). Among male groups, there was a direct significant relationship between age and both of body length and MP.H. Among female groups, there was an inverse significant relationship between age and both of body height and angle of GH with body.
The measurements presented some variations in comparison with previous studies. The different values could be due to racial, ethnic and regional variations. This data can be used for demographic studies, comparative studies among different population groups and forensic cases.
Finally, we concluded that hyoid bone could be utilized to assign age, sex and race when used in conjunction with other bones of the body. These measurements could also be used to explain etiology of incidence of certain diseases (mainly respiratory) in certain age and sex. We recommend doing more of such studies regarding this bone on larger groups of individuals and doing some measurements on its lesser horn.
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