Description
The styloid process is the long, pointed, inferior projection found along the inferior aspect of the temporal bone. It is located:
—anterior to the stylomastoid foramen;
—anteromedial to the mastoid process;
—medial to the mandibular fossa;
—lateral to the jugular fossa.
Its superior end is surrounded by the sheath of the styloid process, which extends inferiorly from the tympanic part of temporal bone.
The styloid process of temporal bone provides origin sites for the stylopharyngeus, styloglossus and stylohyoid muscles, as well as attachment sites for the stylomandibular and stylohyoid ligaments.
