Stylomandibular ligament

Stylomandibular ligament
Articulation of the mandible. Medial aspect. (Stylomandibular lig. labeled at center left.)
Muscles of the pharynx, viewed from behind, together with the associated vessels and nerves. (Styl. mand. lig. labeled at center left.)
Details
From	styloid process (temporal)
To	ramus of the mandible
Identifiers
Latin	ligamentum stylomandibulare
Dorlands /Elsevier	l_09/12493166
TA	A03.1.07.007
FMA	57077
Anatomical terminology []

The stylomandibular ligament is a specialized band of the cervical fascia, which extends from near the apex of the styloid process of the temporal bone to the angle and posterior border of the angle of the mandible, between the Masseter and Medial Pterygoid muscle.

This ligament separates the parotid from the submandibular gland and medial pterygoid, and from its deep surface some fibers of the Styloglossus take origin.

Although classed among the ligaments of the temporomandibular joint, it can only be considered as accessory to it.

This ligament along with the sphenomandibular ligament is responsible for limitation of mandibular movements (limit excessive opening).

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)