What Is the Styloid Process?

Styloid process, an anatomical term, commonly used to refer to slender, sharp processes. Such as the temporal styloid process, the radial styloid process, and the ulnar styloid process.

During embryonic development, the second parotid arch forms the sacrum, the styloid process, the lingual ligament, the small angle of the hyoid bone, and the upper part of the hyoid bone. ^[2]

The root of the styloid process is partially wrapped by the drum plate, with three muscles and two ligaments attached from top to bottom. · ^[6]

Styloid process

Coronal and sagittal reconstruction using MPR, showing the shape, running, calcification / ossification of bilateral styloid processes, understanding the styloid bone quality, measuring the length, inclination and anterior oblique angles of the bilateral styloid , Observe and measure the shortest distance between the styloid process and the surrounding important structures such as the internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, papillary foramen, jugular foramen, and mastoid. ^[9]

For those styloid processes with obvious curvature, CPR can be used to display bilateral styloid processes, and the length of bilateral styloid processes can be measured. ^[9]

Thin layer MIP and VR are used to visually and comprehensively display the three-dimensional structure of styloid processes, showing the morphology and running of bilateral styloid processes, and the anatomical relationship between bilateral styloid processes and surrounding important structures. ^[9]

Examination methods of styloid processes include three-dimensional reconstruction of conventional DR and CT. ^[3]