The structure of the skeleton of an adult person is approximately 206 bones. Each of them has its own structure, location and function. Some bones help to move around, others protect our organs and tissues from mechanical damage, but still others allow us to perform such actions as chewing, swallowing and, of course, speaking. It is these functions that the sublingual bone and muscles that attach to it perform. Despite its very small size, this bone is very important. Injuries associated with its fracture, are extremely dangerous, they often end in a lethal outcome.
Anatomical structure
The hyoid bone is located directly under the body of the tongue. It can only be felt by thin people. Its dimensions are relatively small, but it is involved in performing very important functions. Together with the muscles that connect with it, it helps to carry out such processes as chewing and swallowing. In addition, without it, human speech would not be possible. So it is impossible to overestimate the value of this bone. The structure of the hyoid bone is uncomplicated. It is conditionally divided into a body, large and small horns. With the rest of the bones it is connected with the help of joints and ligaments. The body of the hyoid bone has the shape of an uneven plate, slightly convex in front. It has vertical and transverse ridges. Inhomogeneity is also in the edges: the upper is pointed, and the lower, on the contrary, is slightly thickened. From the sides the body is connected by means of articular cartilage surfaces with large horns. They retreat towards the back. Large horns are much longer and thinner than the body. At the ends they can detect thickenings. From the place where the big horn connects with the body, small horns depart. As a rule, they consist of bone tissue, but in some cases remain cartilaginous. They connect with the body also with the help of a joint. The ends of the small horns are enclosed in the shilo-lingual bunch. Sometimes it contains one, rarely a few rather small bones.
Fracture of the hyoid bone and symptoms of pharyngeal damage
Fractures and damage to the hyoid bone are rare. As a rule, it occurs as a result of a blunt trauma of the submandibular region. At the same time, a rather strong mechanical effect should be applied to this section. In some cases, a fracture can cause suffocation. This also happens when hanging. A fresh small fracture makes itself felt by rather obvious symptoms. First of all, these are severe pains in the upper anterior part of the neck when swallowing or chewing. Also, a small bruise will be visible in the hyoid bone. At palpation mobility and crepitation of fragments are felt.
In case of severe trauma to the hyoid bone, mucosal rupture occurs. This is accompanied by a rather strong bleeding from the mouth. It occurs due to damage to the branches of the lingual or thyroid artery. Often such a trauma leads to death. Providing first aid for fractures of this nature is very difficult and not always effective.
It can be said that all the injuries involving the hyoid bone (photos of its location you can see in the article) are very dangerous for the health and even life of a person.
First aid
First aid should be provided quickly in case of fracture of the hyoid bone. When there is profuse bleeding from the mouth, you need to activate the process of blood clotting. This can be done by tamponade or by applying cold. If there is a possibility, then you should try to bandage the outer carotid artery. After the injury, the first hours are the most dangerous. It is very difficult to make any forecasts because of the risk of asphyxia development. With a rupture of the pharynx, too much loss of blood is possible. Unfortunately, death often occurs even before the ambulance crew arrives.
Indeed, it is extremely difficult to properly help a person when the hyoid bone is broken and the mucous membrane is ruptured. If there are all signs of asphyxia, the best thing to do is to intubate the trachea, and then tamponade the pharynx to reduce blood loss. After these complex manipulations it is necessary to deliver the victim to the hospital in the shortest possible time.
Treatment
Treatment of injuries associated with a fracture of the hyoid bone, is the immobilization and complete elimination of all displacement fragments. This can be achieved by the palpatory method both from the side of the oral cavity, and, of course, from the outside. Immobilization of the head and, what is very important, the neck is carried out with the help of a securely fixing corset. In severe cases, when the hyoid bone is severely damaged, gypsum is applied to the shoulders and neck. But in practice, most often the retention of bone fragments in the correct position is achieved only with surgical repositioning. Often such injuries entail a series of complications, so treatment should be as effective as possible.
Muscles of the hyoid bone
All muscles, which are attached to the hyoid bone by one end, are conventionally divided into two groups: sublingual and sub-sublingual. They differ from one another in position and, accordingly, in functions. To the sub-lingual muscles are:
- Two-abdominal;
- maxillo-hyoid;
- shilo-sublingual;
- chin-hyoid muscle.
All of them are located above the hyoid bone and are directly attached to it. The dorsal muscle consists of the anterior and posterior abdomen, which are joined together by the tendons. It is closely related to another group of fibers. The posterior abdomen is attached to the temporal bone in its upper part . Going down, the latter is adjacent to the dorsal sublingual muscle and passes into the intermediate tendon. It encompasses the fixing loop of the body and the large horn of the hyoid bone. But before that it permeates the sylophilic muscle, which has a spindle-shaped shape. From the lower jaw , another group of fibers leaves its inner surface. The maxillofacial muscle is flat and wide. The bundles of its fibers are located transversely, they are directed towards and fuse, forming a tendon suture. On the side of the midline of the maxillofacial begins the chin-sublingual muscle.
Functions of the hypoglossus muscles
The group of the sub-lingual muscles performs one common function. They allow the hyoid bone to move up, down and to the sides. This helps a person perform such complex actions as swallowing and chewing. Thus, it can be said that the sub-lingual muscles participate in the digestive and respiratory functions, albeit indirectly. Also this group of muscle fibers, lifting the hyoid bone together with the larynx and lowering the lower jaw, promotes the process of speech formation.
The sub-lingual muscles
The sub-lingual muscles include the following: the sternum-hyoid, the scapular-hyoid, the sternum-thyroid muscle. They also attach to the hyoid bone, but are located below it. Thus, the scapular-hyoid muscle begins at the top of the scapula. It has two large abdomen, which are separated by an intermediate tendon. Breast-hyoid muscle with its lower end attached to the handle of the sternum. It, as well as the scapula-hyoid fibers, is attached to the hyoid bone by its upper part. The third group of muscles - sternum-thyroid - lies in front of the thyroid gland and trachea.
The functions of the sublingual muscles
The sub-lingual muscles, acting as a group, pull the hyoid bone together with the larynx downwards. But each of them fulfills one definite function. For example, the sternum-thyroid muscle selectively moves the thyroid cartilage downward. But no less important is the other function of the sub-lingual muscles. Cutting, they reliably strengthen the position of the hyoid bone, to which the sub-lingual muscle group is attached, at this time lowering the lower jaw.