Temporal styloid process 4614557 207696936 2008-04-23T20:59:20Z 70.65.26.175 {{Infobox Bone | Name = Styloid process (temporal) | Latin = processus styloideus ossis temporalis | GraySubject = 34 | GrayPage = 145 | Image = Gray137.png | Caption = Left [[temporal bone]]. Outer surface. (Styloid process visible at center bottom.) | Image2 = Gray907.png | Caption2 = External and middle ear, opened from the front. Right side. (Label for styloid process is bottom center.) | System = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = p_34 | DorlandsSuf = 12667662 | }} The '''styloid process''' is pointed piece of bone that extends down from the human skull, just below the ear. ==Structure== The styloid process is a slender pointed piece of bone just below the ear. It projects down and forward from the inferior surface of the [[temporal bone]], and serves as an anchor point for several muscles associated with the [[tongue]] and [[larynx]]. * Its ''proximal part'' (''tympanohyal'') is ensheathed by the [[vaginal process of the tympanic portion]]. * Its ''distal part'' (''stylohyal'') gives attachment to the following: ** [[stylohyoid ligament]] ** [[stylomandibular ligament]] ** [[styloglossus]] muscle (innervated by the [[hypoglossal nerve]]) ** [[stylohyoid muscle]] (innervated by the [[facial nerve]]) ** [[stylopharyngeus]] muscle (innervated by the [[glossopharyngeal nerve]]) The stylohyoid ligament extends from the apex of the process to the [[lesser cornu]] of the [[hyoid bone]], and in some instances is partially, in others completely, ossified. A small precentage of the population will suffer from an elongation of the styloid process and stylohyoid ligament calcification. This condition is also known as Eagles Syndrome. The tissues in the throat rub on the styloid process, which is a spike-like projection sticking off the base of the skull, 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 [[branchial arch]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray187.png|Base of skull. Inferior surface. Image:Gray189.png|Left infratemporal fossa. Image:Gray310.png|Articulation of the mandible. Medial aspect. Image:Gray915.png|Auditory tube, laid open by a cut in its long axis. Image:Gray1019.png|Extrinsic muscles of the tongue. Left side. Image:Gray1028.png|Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind. </gallery> ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|22|os|04|07}} * {{RocheLexicon|25420.000-1}} * {{RocheLexicon|34257.000-1}} {{Gray's}} {{Skull}} [[Category:Skull]] {{musculoskeletal-stub}} [[ja:側頭骨茎状突起]] [[pl:Wyrostek rylcowaty]]