The only bone in the human body that is not connected to any other bone by muscle or ligament is the hyoid bone. It is a small, horseshoe-shaped bone located in the anterior midline of the neck between the chin and the thyroid cartilage. Unlike other bones, the hyoid bone is unique because it does not directly articulate with any other bone. Instead, it is suspended and anchored by muscles and ligaments from the anterior, posterior, and inferior directions. The hyoid bone plays a crucial role in tongue movement, swallowing, and providing attachment to muscles around the mouth, tongue, larynx, and pharynx.
