ABSTRACT
Background: The greater cornua of the hyoid bone fuse with the body at a certain age. The fusion of hyoid bonecan be of considerable help in estimating the age of unknown dead bodies.Aim of study: To analyze the fusion of hyoid bone in different age-groups.Materials and Methods: We studied a total of 50 cases. Hyoid bone was removed with extreme caution so as thebone does not break and be confused with fracture of hyoid bone. The structure of the bone and fusion of greatercornua to body of hyoid were studied. A master chart was prepared to store the data. The samples were placed incategories of five year age intervals.Results: A total of 30 males and 20 females comprised the study group. Maximum male and female cases were inthe age group 40-45 years. Unilateral fusion was observed in 23 cases; bilateral fusion was observed in 19cases; and non-fusion in 8 cases.Conclusion: From the results of present study, we conclude that non-fusion of greater cornua with body of hyoidbone is obsereved in cases of young age. Also, unialteral fusion and bilateral fusion is more commonly seen inthe age group 40-45 years age group.