• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.564-571
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• 1999

The importance of the hyoid bone lies in its unique anatomic relationships. It has no bony articulations but provides attachment for muscles, ligaments, and fascia of the pharynx, mandible, and cranium. Various studies have documented a variability of hyoid bone position in relation to changed mandibular position or head posture. The aim of this study is to investigate the hyoid bone position and inclination on cephalometric radiographs of three groups of patients exhibiting Class I, II, and III malocclusions. The conclusions obtained from this study can be summarized as follows ; 1. Class III malocclusion patients show a more anterior position of the hyoid bone and also less steep inclination of the hyoid bone. 2. The anteroposterior position of the hyoid bone relative to the cervical vertebra and mandible was very constant. 3. The hyoid bone represented the anterior bony boundary of the pharynx at a lower level than PNS.