Biomedicine

Abstract

The term styloid process is acquired from the Greek word ‘Stylos,’ which means a pillar. The styloid process is a narrow and pointed bony extension connected to the lower surface of the petrous portion of the temporal bone. It lies in front of the stylomastoid foramen and its tip projects anteriorly and inferiorly between internal and external carotid arteries. The positioning of the styloid process holds significant importance due to its relation to critical neurovascular elements. To correlate the morphometric parameters of styloid process of temporal bone with side and gender. The study was conducted on skulls retrieved from Department of Anatomy, Pt. B. D. Sharma PGIMS, and Rohtak. Morphometric parameters of styloid process of both sides were studied in 120 adult dried human skulls of known gender. In the present study the mean length of styloid process was observed on right side 17.26±6.86 mm and on left side 17.74±7.16 mm in male skulls while it was observed on right side 15.92±5.68 mm and on left side 15.37±5.84 mm in female skulls. The length of styloid process was more in males than females. Distance between two styloid processes at base was observed slightly more in males than in females. The present study can provide valuable information to anatomists, otolaryngologists, forensic experts, anthropologists and other researchers in this field.