greater cornua

anatomy

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

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The greater cornua are the larger, horn-shaped projections of the hyoid bone, a U-shaped bone located at the base of the tongue in the neck. This bone has no direct articulation with other bones but serves as a crucial attachment point for muscles of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. The hyoid bone, including its greater cornua, plays a vital role in actions such as swallowing and voice production, moving upward rapidly during these processes. The term "cornu" itself refers to any horn-shaped anatomical part.12

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human skeleton
The hyoid: example of the anchoring function
…of larger horns, called the greater cornua, and a pair of smaller horns, called the lesser cornua. The bone is more or less in the shape of a U, with the body forming the central part, or base, of the letter. In the act of swallowing, the hyoid bone, tongue,…
Read More
…of larger horns, called the greater cornua, and a pair of smaller horns, called the lesser cornua. The bone is more or less in the shape of a U, with the body forming the central part, or base, of the letter. In the act of swallowing, the hyoid bone, tongue,…
Read More

hyoid bone
…of larger horns, called the greater cornua, and a pair of smaller horns, called the lesser cornua. The bone is more or less in the shape of a U, with the body forming the central part, or base, of the letter. In the act of swallowing, the hyoid bone, tongue,…
Read More
…of larger horns, called the greater cornua, and a pair of smaller horns, called the lesser cornua. The bone is more or less in the shape of a U, with the body forming the central part, or base, of the letter. In the act of swallowing, the hyoid bone, tongue,…
Read More