Stylomastoid foramen
Encyclopedia
Between the styloid
and mastoid
processes of the temporal bone
is the stylomastoid foramen
It is the termination of the facial canal
, and transmits the facial nerve
and stylomastoid artery
.
can result from inflammation of the facial nerve
where it leaves the skull at the stylomastoid foramen. Patients with Bell's palsy appear with facial drooping on the affected side.
Styloid process (temporal)
The styloid process is a pointed piece of bone that extends down from the human skull, just below the ear.-Structure:The styloid process is a slender pointed piece of bone just below the ear...
and mastoid
Mastoid portion of the temporal bone
The mastoid portion of the temporal bone forms the posterior part of the temporal bone.- Surfaces :Its outer surface is rough, and gives attachment to the Occipitalis and Auricularis posterior...
processes of the temporal bone
Temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebrum.The temporal bone supports that part of the face known as the temple.-Parts:The temporal bone consists of four parts:* Squama temporalis...
is the stylomastoid foramen
It is the termination of the facial canal
Facial canal
The facial canal is a Z-shaped canal running through the temporal bone from the internal acoustic meatus to the stylomastoid foramen. In humans it is approximately 3 centimeters long, which makes it the longest human osseous canal of a nerve...
, and transmits the facial nerve
Facial nerve
The facial nerve is the seventh of twelve paired cranial nerves. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and oral cavity...
and stylomastoid artery
Stylomastoid artery
The stylomastoid artery enters the stylomastoid foramen and supplies the tympanic cavity, the tympanic antrum and mastoid cells, and the semicircular canals...
.
Clinical Relevance
Bell's palsyBell's palsy
Bell's palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII that results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. Several conditions can cause facial paralysis, e.g., brain tumor, stroke, and Lyme disease. However, if no specific cause...
can result from inflammation of the facial nerve
Facial nerve
The facial nerve is the seventh of twelve paired cranial nerves. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and oral cavity...
where it leaves the skull at the stylomastoid foramen. Patients with Bell's palsy appear with facial drooping on the affected side.