Morphological Characteristics of Styloid Process in Temporal Bone

Eagle's syndrome is associated with severe pain and limitation in neck movements and dysphagia. This disorder is due to the prolongation or calcification of the styloid process and surrounding ligaments and the pressure on the neuromuscular bundle surrounding it. In addition, the morphometric study of styloid process is important for anthropologists and anatomists. Considering the importance of knowledge about morphometry of styloid process for dentists and anthropologists, this study investigated the morphometric characteristics of styloid process in dry skulls. This descriptive study was performed on 24 dry skulls with no deformities and pathologic problems in 2017. The styloid process was longer than 2.5 centimeters considered as the long styloid process. The angle between the axis of Frankfurt and the longitudinal axis of the styloid process was measured as the anterior angle of the styloid process. Data were entered into SPSS version 20 and analyzed by descriptive statistics including percentage frequency, frequency, and t-test. P-value less than 0.05 were considered as significant. The mean length of styloid process was 1.36±0.86 cm and the mean thickness of the styloid process was 0.14±0.41 cm. The angle between the axis of Frankfurt and the longitudinal axis of the styloid process was 54.45±16.18. The long styloid process was observed in 8.3% of the skulls. In the present study, the size of the styloid process was close to that of the Asian population, in particular Indians. The study of styloid process can be beneficial for physicians, dentists, anatomists, and forensic specialists. Studies with more specimens on the skull, as well as panoramic radiography and magnetic resonance images can provide us with complete information