The hyoid is suspended above the larynx and is anchored by ligaments to bones in the skull. ... The hyoid bone, which is the only bone in the body not connected to any other, is the foundation of speech and is found only in humans and Neanderthals.

Do females have a hyoid bone?

A total of 100 hyoid bones, 66 males and 34 females, in different age groups were studied. According to the study, hyoid bones were highly polymorphic in shape across the ages in both sexes. In adult males, V shape is more common (36.16 %) when compared to U shaped hyoid bone (35.29%) in adult females.

What happens if you don't have a hyoid bone?

The osteological horseshoe is an attachment point for muscles of the tongue, larynx, and pharynx. Without this bone, we wouldn't be capable of making the symphony of sounds we use to help put our ideas into other people's heads.