MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE STYLOID PROCESS AND ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Background: Styloid process is a slender, cylindrical spur of bone fused with the inferior aspect of the temporal bone in front of the stylomastoid foramen. Present study aimed to evaluate the length, angulation, interstyloid distance and styloid ratio to highlight their possible etiological importance in clinical and surgical conditions. Interstyloid distance is used for sexual dimorphism. Excessive length and angulation of styloid process is clinically important, as it may cause Eagle's syndrome. Material And Methods: The study was done on both sides of 52 dry human skulls of unknown age and sex without any obvious deformity. Each skull was carefully examined for the presence of elongated styloid process (length>30 mm). The length was measured using Vernier caliper and interstyloid distance was measured using divider. Angle of styloid process with the Reid's baseline and styloid ratio was also calculated. Results: Out of 52 skulls, elongated styloid process was observed in thirteen skulls, amongst them eight skulls (15.38%) with unilateral and ve (9.62%) with bilateral elongation. Rest of the skulls (n=39) had lengths varying from 20-30 mm. Mean angle between styloid process and Reid's baseline was 51.13°. Average interstyloid distance was 75.42 mm while 70-80 mm was the most common range. Styloid ratio varied from 3-4. Conclusions: Unilateral elongated styloid process was found more frequently as compared to bilateral. The results can be used as a baseline data for identication of male and female skull by calculating the interstyloid distance. The ndings of the present study may be of utmost importance in the examination of styloid process in patients with symptoms of stylalgia.