The styloid process projects anteroinferiorly from the underside of the temporal bone. It can be as long as 1 inch (2.5 cm) and points toward the lesser horn of the hyoid bone to which it is attached by the stylohyoid ligament (Fig. 8.248B). The root of the styloid process is immediately anterior to the stylomastoid foramen and lateral to the jugular foramen. The styloglossus muscle of the tongue attaches to the anterolateral surface of the styloid process.