The temporal styloid process is a slender bony
process of the
temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples, and house the structures of the ears ...
extending downward and forward from the undersurface of the
temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples, and house the structures of the ears ...
just below the ear. The styloid process gives attachments to several muscles, and ligaments.
Structure
The styloid process is a slender and pointed bony process of the temporal bone projecting anteroinferiorly from the inferior surface of the
temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples, and house the structures of the ears ...
just below the ear. Its length normally ranges from just under 3 cm to just over 4 cm. It is usually nearly straight, but may be curved in some individuals.
Its ''proximal'' (''tympanohyal'') ''part'' is ensheathed by the
tympanic part of the temporal bone ''(vaginal process), whereas'' its ''distal (stylohyal)'' ''part'' gives attachment to several structures.
Attachments
The styloid process gives attachments to several muscles, and ligaments.
It serves as an anchor point for several muscles associated with the
tongue
The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of a typical tetrapod. It manipulates food for mastication and swallowing as part of the digestive process, and is the primary organ of taste. The tongue's upper surface (dorsum) is covered by taste bu ...
and
larynx.
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stylohyoid ligament
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stylomandibular ligament
The stylomandibular ligament is the thickened posterior portion of the investing cervical fascia around the neck. It extends from near the apex of the styloid process of the temporal bone to the angle and posterior border of the angle of the man ...
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styloglossus muscle (innervated by the
hypoglossal nerve)
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stylohyoid muscle (innervated by the
facial nerve
The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of ta ...
)
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stylopharyngeus
The stylopharyngeus is a muscle in the head that stretches between the temporal styloid process and the pharynx.
Structure
The stylopharyngeus is a long, slender muscle, cylindrical above, flattened below. It arises from the medial side of the ...
muscle (innervated by the
glossopharyngeal nerve)
Relations
The parotid gland is situated laterally to the styloid process, the external carotid artery passes by its apex, the facial nerve crosses its base, and the attachment of the stylopharyngeus muscle separates it from the internal jugular vein medially.
Clinical significance
A small percentage of the population will suffer from an elongation of the styloid process and stylohyoid ligament
calcification
Calcification is the accumulation of calcium salts in a body tissue. It normally occurs in the formation of bone, but calcium can be deposited abnormally in soft tissue,Miller, J. D. Cardiovascular calcification: Orbicular origins. ''Nature M ...
. This condition is also known as
Eagle syndrome. The tissues in the throat rub on the styloid process during the act of swallowing with resulting pain along the glossopharyngeal nerve. There is also pain upon turning the head or extending the tongue. Other symptoms may include voice alteration, cough, dizziness, migraines, occipital neuralgia, pain in teeth and jaw and sinusitis or bloodshot eyes.
Development
The styloid process arises from
endochondral ossification of the
cartilage from the second
pharyngeal arch.
Additional images
File:Styloid process of temporal bone - animation02.gif, Animation. Temporal styloid process shown in red.
File:Styloid process of left temporal bone - animation.gif, Left temporal bone.
File:Styloid process of left temporal bone - inferior view.png, Inferior surface of left temporal bone. Styloid process shown in red.
File:Gray907.png, External and middle ear, opened from the front. Right side. (Label for styloid process is bottom center.)
File:Gray137.png, Left temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples, and house the structures of the ears ...
. Outer surface. (Styloid process visible at center bottom.)
File:Gray310.png, Articulation of the mandible. Medial aspect.
File:Gray1019.png, Extrinsic muscles of the tongue. Left side.
File:Gray1028.png, Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind.
File:Slide2JAN.JPG, Styloid process.Base of skull.
References
External links
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Bones of the head and neck
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