Stylomastoid foramen 3989836 200270347 2008-03-23T10:06:17Z Shunju-kun 6329475 {{Infobox Bone | Name = Stylomastoid foramen | Latin = foramen stylomastoideum | GraySubject = 34 | GrayPage = 144 | Image = Stylomastoid foramen.png | Caption = [[Base of skull]]. Inferior surface. Pink region is temporal bone, and stylomastoid foramen is in black circle at center of pink region. | Image2 = Gray141.png | Caption2 = Left [[temporal bone]]. Inferior surface. (Stylomastoid foramen is third label from the bottom on the left.) | System = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = f_12 | DorlandsSuf = 12373728 | }} Between the [[styloid process (temporal)|styloid]] and [[mastoid portion of the temporal bone|mastoid]] processes of the [[temporal bone]] is the '''stylomastoid foramen''' It is the termination of the [[facial canal]], and transmits the [[facial nerve]] and [[stylomastoid artery]]. == Clinical Relevance == [[Bell's palsy]] can result from inflammation of the [[facial nerve]] where it leaves the skull at the stylomastoid foramen. Patients with Bell's palsy appear with facial drooping on the affected side. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Facial canal.png|Facial canal </gallery> ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|22|4a|07}} * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|22|os|07|08}} * {{eMedicineDictionary|Stylomastoid+foramen}} * {{RocheLexicon|34257.000-1}} * {{NormanAnatomy|lesson3}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|midearcavity}}) * [http://patientsforum.com/FacialNerve.htm Diagram at patientsforum.com] {{Gray's}} [[Category:Foramina of the skull]] {{musculoskeletal-stub}} {{Skull}} {{Foramina of skull}} [[hu:Foramen stylomastoideum]] [[ja:茎乳突孔]]