Stylohyoid ligament
# 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).

## Anatomy

### Attachments

It attaches at the lesser horn of hyoid bone inferiorly, and (the apex of) the styloid process of the temporal bone superiorly.

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

### Relations

The ligament is adjacent to the lateral wall of the oropharynx.

Inferiorly, it is adjacent to th hyoglossus.

## Clinical significance

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

## Other animals

In many animals, the epihyal is a distinct bone in the centre of the stylohyoid ligament, which is similar to that seen in Eagle syndrome.

