Morphological Characteristic and Incidence of Elongate Styloid Process in South Indian Population: A Case Series

Introduction: Styloid process is a slender osseous projection, cylindrical and sharp projection of the temporal bone, located in front of stylomastoid foramen. Styloid process is from Reichert’s cartilage of the second branchial arch, this is a part of the splanchnocranium. This is Connected to the hyoid bone through the Stylohyoid ligament. The morphology of the Styloid process is due to hormonal and genetic changes. Orthopantomography is a radiographic method used to visualise mandibles. It also provides a rotational view of the jaw. The aim of the study is to analyse the elongation of the Styloid process in the South Indian population.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in dental institutions with convenience sampling. The random orthopantomogram sample was collected from a dental institution. Total number of orthopantomogram involved in the study was 80 (40-males and 40-females) that is used to examine elongation of the Styloid process in the South Indian population. The minimised sampling bias is done by stratification according to age and gender.

Statistical Analysis: The data were analysed by using SPSS software. The probability value p< 0.05 is considered as significant and the value p>0.05 was considered as not significant.

Results: This study showed various types of Styloid processes in males and females. However we concluded that there is a difference in shape of Styloid processes. The most common type of the Styloid process found in males is pseudo articulated (32.5%) whereas in females the most common type of Styloid process found is uninterrupted (37.5%)

Conclusion: From the current study we have concluded that the pseudo articulated Styloid process is more in males whereas uninterrupted is more in females. Only retrospective studies were done so far. Therefore in future studies with live models and larger sample size should be conducted.