The stylomandibular ligament is the thickened posterior portion of the investing

cervical fascia The cervical fascia is fascia found in the region of the neck. It usually refers to the deep cervical fascia. However, there is also a superficial cervical fascia Superficial cervical fascia is a thin layer of subcutaneous connective tissue that ...

around the neck. It extends from near the apex of the styloid process of the

temporal bone The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex. The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples, and house the structures of the ears. Th ...

to the angle and posterior border of the

angle of the mandible __NOTOC__ The angle of the mandible (gonial angle) is located at the posterior border at the junction of the lower border of the ramus of the mandible. The angle of the mandible, which may be either inverted or everted, is marked by rough, obliq ...

, between the

masseter muscle In human anatomy, the masseter is one of the muscles of mastication. Found only in mammals, it is particularly powerful in herbivores to facilitate chewing of plant matter. The most obvious muscle of mastication is the masseter muscle, since it ...

and

medial pterygoid muscle The medial pterygoid muscle (or internal pterygoid muscle), is a thick, quadrilateral muscle of the face. It is supplied by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (V). It is important in mastication (chewing). Structure The medial ptery ...

. The stylomandibular ligament limits mandibular movements, such as preventing excessive opening.

Structure

The stylomandibular ligament extends from near the apex of the styloid process of the

to the angle and posterior border of the

, between the

and

. From its deep surface, some fibers of the styloglossus muscle originate. Although classed among the ligaments of the

temporomandibular joint In anatomy, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints connecting the jawbone to the skull. It is a bilateral synovial articulation between the temporal bone of the skull above and the mandible below; it is from these bones that it ...

, it can only be considered as accessory to it.

Function

The stylomandibular ligament, along with the

sphenomandibular ligament The sphenomandibular ligament (internal lateral ligament) is one of the three ligaments of the temporomandibular joint. It is situated medially to - and generally separate from - the articular capsule of the joint. Superiorly, it is attached to the ...

, limits mandibular movements, such as preventing excessive opening.

Clinical significance

The stylomandibular ligament is important for maintaining stability of the

mandible In anatomy, the mandible, lower jaw or jawbone is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower tooth, teeth in place. The mandible sits beneath the maxilla. It is the only movabl ...

after maxillofacial surgery.

References

External links

* Ligaments of the head and neck {{ligament-stub