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Ossified stylohyoid ligament
Ossified stylohyoid ligament Gary Ii Freedman, D.D.S.,’ Seattle, Wash.
and James R. Hooley, D.D.S.,**
UNIVERSITY
HOSPITALS
OF
WASHINGTON
T
he stylohyoid ligament runs from the styloid process to the lesser cornu of the hyoid bone. Ossification of this ligament has been reported in the literature. When this occurs, it is usually in older persons although young persons may be affected. Such ossification is usually bilateral and symmetrical, with the extent of involvement variable. Ossification usually arises at the upper end of the
Fig. 1. Posteroanterior fracture.
(Small
film of mandible showing calcified ligament black streaks at left of illustration are artifacts.)
with
possible
Reprints of this article may be obtained from Dr. Hooley. *Formerly Chief Resident, Oral Surgery. Present address: Montreal, Canada. **Chief of Hospital Dental Service and Assistant Professor of Oral Surgery.
190
hairline
Volume 25 Number 2
05$kd
sty~ohyOia ligament
191
Fig. 2. Lateral oblique film of mandible showing course of ligament.
ligament in continuity with the styloid process; however, it sometimes commences from the lower end and it occurs less commonly in the midportion of the ligament. Rarely is it possible to trace the continuity to the hyoid bone.’ CASE REPORT Figs. 1 and 2 show a case of unilateral, complete ossification of the right stylohyoid ligament in a 39-year-old Negro woman. The continuity of the ossification can be traced throughout the course of the ligament. The interruption of continuity at the upper portion probably marks the junction of the ligament and the styloid process, rather than representing a fracture. This condition was asymptomatic and was an incidental finding when this woman was admitted to King County Hospital for treatment of a jaw fracture. RRFERENCES
1. Worth, H. M.: Principles and Practice of Oral Radiologic Interpretation, Year Book Medical Publishers, Inc., pp. 327-325.
Chicago, 1963,
and James R. Hooley, D.D.S.,**
UNIVERSITY
HOSPITALS
OF
WASHINGTON
T
he stylohyoid ligament runs from the styloid process to the lesser cornu of the hyoid bone. Ossification of this ligament has been reported in the literature. When this occurs, it is usually in older persons although young persons may be affected. Such ossification is usually bilateral and symmetrical, with the extent of involvement variable. Ossification usually arises at the upper end of the
Fig. 1. Posteroanterior fracture.
(Small
film of mandible showing calcified ligament black streaks at left of illustration are artifacts.)
with
possible
Reprints of this article may be obtained from Dr. Hooley. *Formerly Chief Resident, Oral Surgery. Present address: Montreal, Canada. **Chief of Hospital Dental Service and Assistant Professor of Oral Surgery.
190
hairline
Volume 25 Number 2
05$kd
sty~ohyOia ligament
191
Fig. 2. Lateral oblique film of mandible showing course of ligament.
ligament in continuity with the styloid process; however, it sometimes commences from the lower end and it occurs less commonly in the midportion of the ligament. Rarely is it possible to trace the continuity to the hyoid bone.’ CASE REPORT Figs. 1 and 2 show a case of unilateral, complete ossification of the right stylohyoid ligament in a 39-year-old Negro woman. The continuity of the ossification can be traced throughout the course of the ligament. The interruption of continuity at the upper portion probably marks the junction of the ligament and the styloid process, rather than representing a fracture. This condition was asymptomatic and was an incidental finding when this woman was admitted to King County Hospital for treatment of a jaw fracture. RRFERENCES
1. Worth, H. M.: Principles and Practice of Oral Radiologic Interpretation, Year Book Medical Publishers, Inc., pp. 327-325.
Chicago, 1963,