Overview of the ossified stylohyoid ligament based in more than 1200 forensic autopsies

Abstract

The human stylohyoid chain presents considerable anatomic variability. In a personal series of 1215 forensic autopsies, eleven cases of complete ossification of the stylohyoid ligament have been revealed. Nine cases were bilateral and two cases were unilateral ossifications. A fractured ossified stylohyoid ligament was found in one case. The embryology and clinical significance of this condition has been mentioned briefly.