Stylohyoid ligament

The stylohyoid ligament is a ligament that extends between the hyoid bone, and the temporal styloid process (of the temporal bone of the skull).

Stylohyoid ligament
Muscles of the neck. Anterior view.
Details
From	Styloid process (temporal)
To	Hyoid bone
Identifiers
Latin	ligamentum stylohyoideum
TA98	A03.1.01.003
TA2	1567
FMA	72308
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Anatomy

Attachments

It attaches at the lesser horn of the hyoid bone^[1][2] inferiorly,^{[citation needed]} and (the apex of^[1]) the styloid process of the temporal bone^[1][2] superiorly.^{[citation needed]}

The ligament gives attachment to the superior-most fibres of the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle.^[1]

Relations

The ligament is adjacent to the lateral wall of the oropharynx.^[1]

Inferiorly, it is adjacent to the hyoglossus.^[1]

Clinical significance

The stylohyoid ligament frequently contains a little cartilage in its center, which is sometimes partially ossified in Eagle syndrome.^[3]

Other animals

In many animals, the epihyal is a distinct bone in the centre of the stylohyoid ligament, similar to that seen in Eagle syndrome.^{[citation needed]}