The hyoid is anchored by muscles from the anterior, posterior and inferior directions, and aids in tongue movement and swallowing.

[clarification needed] The greater and lesser horns (Latin: cornua) are two sections of bone that project from each side of the hyoid.

The greater horns project backward from the outer borders of the body; they are flattened from above downward and taper to their end, which is a bony tubercle connecting to the lateral thyrohyoid ligament.

The upper surface of the greater horns are rough and close to its lateral border, and facilitates muscular attachment.

The suprahyoid branch of the lingual artery runs along the upper border of the hyoid bone and supplies blood to the attached muscles.

It allows a wider range of tongue, pharyngeal and laryngeal movements by bracing these structures alongside each other in order to produce variation.

It has been hypothesized that the mammalian hyoid bone evolved in conjunction with the development of lactation, thus allowing babies to suckle milk.

[16][17] Movement of the hyoid bone is also thought to be important in modifying upper airway properties, which was recently demonstrated in computer model simulations.

In a suspected case of murder or physical abuse of an adult, a fractured hyoid strongly indicates throttling or strangulation.

In children and adolescents (in whom the hyoid bone is still flexible because ossification is yet to be completed) fracture may not occur even after serious trauma.

In birds, and some reptiles, the body of the hyoid is greatly extended forward, creating a solid bony support for the tongue.