The evaluation of variation in the length of styloid process of indian population and its applied importance

Abstract

The styloid process has variable length with average of 25mm. Its length ? 30 mm is termed as elongated. The variation in the length may produce wide variety of symptoms in head and neck region as it is approximated to important neurovascular structures. This study is designed to evaluate the significant variability of length of styloid process in the study sample and the value mentioned the anatomy text books and to know the bilateral relationship between them. Materials & methods: random sampling of 98 (n) styloid processes from 49 dry adult human skulls of Indian origin was used in this study. The student t-test, Scatterplot and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Result: The mean length in the study sample was 24.05±4.8mm [range: 9.12mm to 36.13mm]. Significant difference was not found (p>0.05) between sample and text book value (25mm). Strong Positive linear correlation (r=0.99) was observed between the pairs.  More incidence was found (78.57%) in the 20mm to 30 mm category. The length is important in diagnosis, anatomy and anthropology. Conclusion: Length of styloid process in sample was not significantly different from the value mentioned in the text book. Bilateral Positive linear correlation was observed.