[7] To check the intraobserver Gemcitabine mw variations, measurements were repeated after 1 month on a subset of 550 panoramic radiographs by the same observer. The deviation of the mean length of the styloid process between 1st and 2nd measurements were <2%. The observed results were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 (statistical package for social science Inc. Chicago, USA) software. Student t-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. P values less than 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 1,162 digital panoramic radiographs with dental problems were enrolled in the present study. The panoramic radiographs of 77 patients who have questionable styloid process were excluded. Therefore, 1,085 panoramic radiographs showed elongated styloid process of which, 686 (63.

2%) elongated styloid process were observed in males and 399 (36.8%) were observed in females. Table 1 shows the mean difference of elongated styloid process between the gender, age and the side affected. The mean difference of elongated styloid process between the age group of 20-29, 50-59, and 60 years and above was more in males when compared to female patients, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Though, the mean difference of elongated styloid process was more in females between the age group of 40 and 49, it was not statistically significant. A statistical significant difference was noticed in the morphology of elongated styloid process in males [Table 2]. Type I morphology on the left side above 60 years of age was noticed in males.

There was no significant difference noticed in the morphology of elongated styloid process in females. Calcified outline (a) [Table 3] was the most common calcified pattern noticed on right and left side of the male and right side of the female patients, which was statistically significant [Tables [Tables44 and and5]5] shows the percentage distribution of morphology and calcified pattern of elongated styloid process in different sub age groups. Type I and calcified outline (a) were the most common morphology and calcified pattern in the specified sub age groups.

Table 1 Mean difference of elongated styloid process in different age groups Table 2 Morphology of elongated styloid Drug_discovery process according to gender Table 3 Calcification pattern of elongated styloid process according to gender Table 4 Percentage distribution of morphology of elongated styloid process in different sub age groups Table 5 Percentage distribution of calcification pattern of elongated styloid process in different sub age groups DISCUSSION The styloid process and ligaments are derived from the 1st and 2nd brachial arches, in addition to Reichert’s cartilage. It has been demonstrated that during fetal development Reichert’s cartilage links the styloid bone to the hyoid bone. In the adult, the stylohyoid ligament may retain some of its embryonic cartilage and may become partially or completely ossified.