Styloid process before Watt Weems Eagle. An Italian story

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Medical History
• Surgical Anatomy

Background:

• Eagle syndrome is a rare condition characterized by elongated styloid processes.
• Historical attributions of key anatomical observations have been debated.
• Understanding the styloid process anatomy is crucial for diagnosing and managing related conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the historical context of anatomical reflections on the styloid process.
• To reattribute specific anatomical insights concerning the styloid process and Eagle syndrome.
• To clarify the origins of surgical reflections on the styloid process anatomy.

Main Methods:

• Examination of Domenico De Marchetti's original work, "ANATOMIA-cui responsiones ad Riolanum anatomicum Parisiensem..." (1654).
• Philological-clinical analysis of the Latin text.
• Correlation with contemporary medical and anatomical knowledge.

Main Results:

• Domenico De Marchetti meticulously analyzed the hyoid bone and styloid process.
• Marchetti observed the styloid process connection to the hyoid bone's horns during dissections.
• His insights suggested stylohyoid ligament calcification and continuous styloid process growth.

Conclusions:

• Marchetti's observations offer the first evidence of continuous styloid process evolution.
• These findings contribute significantly to understanding the etiology of Eagle syndrome.
• The study reattributes key anatomical insights to Domenico De Marchetti.