The styloglossus retracts and elevates the tongue, acting as the antagonist to the genioglossus. It inserts into the lateral tongue interleaving with the hyoglossus fibres. The styloid process, stylohyoid ligament, and styloglossus together form the styloid apparatus — all derived from the second branchial arch. Styloid process elongation (Eagle syndrome) compresses the styloglossus and adjacent structures to produce throat pain on swallowing.
Tongue retraction and elevation; assists in the oral preparatory phase of swallowing
Eagle syndrome from an elongated styloid process (more than 25 mm) produces unilateral throat and neck pain worsened by swallowing, turning the head, and opening the mouth — symptoms from styloglossus and stylohyoid tendon impingement against the adjacent soft tissues. CT confirms elongated styloid. Surgical styloidectomy via transoral or transcervical approach relieves symptoms.
Elongated styloid process compressing styloglossus and adjacent throat structures producing throat pain on swallowing managed with surgical styloidectomy.
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