What is "styloid process"

Styloid \Sty"loid\, a. [Style + -oid: cf. F. stylo["i]de, Gr. ?.]

1. Styliform; as, the styloid process.

2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the styloid process.

   Styloid process (Anat.), a long and slender process from the lower side of the temporal bone of man, corresponding to the tympanohyal and stylohyal of other animals.

n. extends from the base of the temporal bone

In anatomy, a styloid process (from Greek stylos (στῦλος), "pillar"), usually serving as points of attachment for muscles, refers to the slender, pointed process (protrusion) of:

• temporal bone of the skull - Temporal styloid process
• radius bone of the lower arm - Radial styloid process
• ulna bone of the lower arm - Ulnar styloid process
• Third metacarpal - Third metacarpal styloid process
• Tibia and Fibula - Tibial process, fibular process.
• 5th metatarsal of the foot - also known as the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal