MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF STYLOID PROCESS IN HUMAN CADAVERS WITH CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

• Ujwala Lakshmi Vangapandu,  
• Swathi Poornima Chandaka*

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Styloid process is a bilateral bony projection of temporal bone related to important neurovascular structures in the head and neck region. Elongated styloid process with length more than 30mm is frequent encounter in multiple imaging techniques in various studies which have been cause of many neurological and vascular signs and symptoms in living. Present study aims at analyzing the morphometric parameters of styloid process in cadavers with clinical correlation. METHODS: Present study is an observational descriptive study done on styloid processes retrieved from forty human cadavers and fifteen dry skulls from the department of anatomy in the present institution. The morphometric parameters included length and breadth of the styloid process. Spatial orientation of the structures close to styloid process were studied and any deviation was duly documented. RESULTS: A total of 110 styloid processes were studied in which four elongated styloid processes were identified with a prevalence rate of 3.6%. Mean lengths on right and left side measured16.1mm and 16.07mm respectively with more lengthy styloid process on the right side. Mean breadths of 5.7 mm and 5.13 mm on right and left sides were measured respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the presence of elongated styloid process is of paramount importance in diagnosing the signs and symptoms manifested in Eagle’s syndrome. Expanding knowledge on the morphometry of styloid process is of great advantage to head and neck surgeons and radiologists, which can be enhanced by present study.

Keywords

Eagle's syndrome,posterior measure,elongated,styloid process,cadavers,dryskulls