hyoid arch

anatomy

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June 29, 2026

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The hyoid arch, also known as the second branchial arch, is a structure that develops in the embryo of higher vertebrates. In human embryos, these arches give rise to important anatomical features, including the hyoid bone, mandible, and larynx. The hyoid bone itself is a U-shaped bone located at the base of the tongue in the front of the neck. It does not connect to other bones but serves as a crucial anchoring point for the tongue and surrounding muscles, playing a role in swallowing and voice production. The hyoid arch is a transient structure during embryonic development, but its derivatives are essential for adult anatomy and function.123

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muscle
Jawed fishes
…the gill septum of the hyoid arch is greatly modified to become a single, movable, bony covering for the whole gill chamber—the operculum. The individual gill septa are lost, and there is a great modification of the posterior branchial muscles, with many of the elements found in sharks (e.g., levators…
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…the gill septum of the hyoid arch is greatly modified to become a single, movable, bony covering for the whole gill chamber—the operculum. The individual gill septa are lost, and there is a great modification of the posterior branchial muscles, with many of the elements found in sharks (e.g., levators…
Read More