An unusually lengthy styloid process

Abstract

The close proximity of the styloid process to many of the vital neurovascular structures in the neck makes it clinically significant. Abnormal elongation of the styloid process may cause compression on a number of vital vessels and nerves related to it, producing inflammatory changes that include continuous chronic pain in the pharyngeal region, radiating otalgia, phantom foreign body sensation (globus hystericus), pain in the pharyngeal region, and dysphagia. The normal length of the styloid process is usually 2.0-2.5 cm long. We report a dry human skull that showed bilateral styloid processes measuring 6.0 cm on the right side and 5.9 cm on the left side. The variation in dimension of the process and its clinical implication are discussed.