Stylomandibular tunnel

Changed by Francis Deng, 22 Jul 2019

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The stylomandibular tunnel is a space between the mandibular ramus and the styloid process / stylohyoid ligament. It separates the (prestyloid) parapharyngeal space from the parotid space (a.k.a. poststyloid parapharyngeal spaceIn some definitions, the portion of the parotid gland that extends into the stylomandibular tunnel is considered the deep (retromandibular) portion of the gland 3.

Related pathology

When there is a mass in the region of the parapharyngeal space, changes in stylomandibular tunnel size can help determine the space of origin 1,2:

  • widened: mass arising in the prestyloid parapharyngeal space or from the deep lobe of the parotid gland
  • narrowed: mass arising in the carotid space
  • -<p>The <strong>stylomandibular tunnel</strong> is a space between the <a title="Mandible" href="/articles/mandible">mandibular ramus</a> and the <a title="Styloid process" href="/articles/styloid-process">styloid process</a> / <a title="Stylohyoid ligament" href="/articles/stylohyoid-ligament">stylohyoid ligament</a>. It separates the (prestyloid) <a title="Parapharyngeal space" href="/articles/parapharyngeal-space">parapharyngeal space</a> from the <a title="Carotid space" href="/articles/carotid-space">carotid space</a> (a.k.a. poststyloid parapharyngeal space).</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>When there is a mass in the region of the parapharyngeal space, changes in stylomandibular tunnel size can help determine the space of origin <sup>1,2</sup>:</p><ul>
  • -<li>widened: mass arising in the prestyloid parapharyngeal space or from the deep lobe of the <a title="Parotid gland" href="/articles/parotid-gland">parotid gland</a>
  • +<p>The <strong>stylomandibular tunnel</strong> is a space between the <a href="/articles/mandible">mandibular ramus</a> and the <a href="/articles/styloid-process">styloid process</a> / <a href="/articles/stylohyoid-ligament">stylohyoid ligament</a>. It separates the (prestyloid) <a href="/articles/parapharyngeal-space">parapharyngeal space</a> from the <a title="Parotid space" href="/articles/parotid-space">parotid space</a>. In some definitions, the portion of the parotid gland that extends into the stylomandibular tunnel is considered the deep (retromandibular) portion of the gland <sup>3</sup>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>When there is a mass in the region of the parapharyngeal space, changes in stylomandibular tunnel size can help determine the space of origin <sup>1,2</sup>:</p><ul>
  • +<li>widened: mass arising in the prestyloid parapharyngeal space or from the deep lobe of the <a href="/articles/parotid-gland">parotid gland</a>

References changed:

  • 3. Peter M. Som, Hugh D. Curtin. Head and Neck Imaging - 2 Volume Set. (2019) <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN9780323053556">ISBN: 9780323053556</a><span class="ref_v4"></span>

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads