PSI Barbering Practice Exam

What is the U-shaped bone that supports the tongue and its muscles?

1. Maxilla

2. Sphenoid

3. Hyoid

4. Palatine

The correct answer is: Hyoid

The U-shaped bone that supports the tongue and its muscles is known as the hyoid bone. This unique bone is located in the neck and is not directly attached to other bones in the skeleton, providing both support and mobility to the tongue, which is essential for various functions such as speaking, swallowing, and tasting. The hyoid's design allows for the attachment of numerous muscles and ligaments involved in these processes, highlighting its significance in the anatomy of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. The maxilla is primarily a facial bone involved in the structure of the upper jaw and supports teeth and nasal structures; it does not support the tongue. The sphenoid bone plays a crucial role in forming the base of the skull and the orbits of the eyes, but it does not have a direct role in tongue support. The palatine bones, located at the back of the nasal cavity, contribute to the structure of the hard palate and part of the orbits, but they also do not support the tongue in the way the hyoid does. The unique position and structure of the hyoid bone make it the correct answer in this context.