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).

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.