Evaluation of hyoid position in relation to cervical vertebral and skull planes in cone beam computed tomography imaging in patients referred to Tabriz dental faculty in 2019-2020

Abstract

Introduction: The hyoid bone is located between the third and fourth cervical vertebrae and in anterior region along with the third molar in the sagittal plane. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the position of hyoid in relation with the cervical vertebrae and mandible based on age and sex. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 80 images of Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the archives of Dental faculty were selected by simple random sampling. Images were studied in four age groups (20-60) and in both sexes. After reconstructing the sagittal image of the patient, palatal and SN (plan from the Nazion point to the cell) planes were drawn. The vertical distance of the anterior part of the hyoid to the mentioned lines was measured. Then, distances of the same point from the hyoid to the anterior lower part of each cervical vertebrae were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software via analysis of variance ANOVA and t-test. Results: The distance between the hyoid bone and the C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 vertebrae was significantly more in men than women (P <0.001). The distance between the hyoid bone and palatal and SN planes was significantly more in men than women (P <0.001). The distance between the hyoid bone and the C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 vertebrae was not significantly different in the age groups. The distance of hyoid bone to palatal and SN planes was similar in different age groups. Conclusion: The distance of the hyoid bone to the cervical vertebrae and palatal and SN planes was affected by gender but was similar in the age groups.