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Stilomandibular ligament divide into anterior 2/3rd and postiror 1/3 is it correct where its located

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stylomandibular ligament anatomy location

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Here is a thorough answer based on authoritative textbook sources:

Stylomandibular Ligament — Anatomy & Clarification

Is the "anterior 2/3 and posterior 1/3 division" correct?

No — this division does not apply to the stylomandibular ligament. You are likely confusing it with the parotid gland, which is classically described as having a superficial lobe (approximately 80%) and a deep lobe, separated by the facial nerve — not the stylomandibular ligament itself.
The concept of division into thirds is not a described feature of the stylomandibular ligament in standard anatomy texts.

What is the Stylomandibular Ligament?

It is one of three extracapsular ligaments of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the others being the lateral ligament and the sphenomandibular ligament.
FeatureDetail
AttachmentsStyloid process of the temporal bone → posterior margin and angle of the mandible
FunctionLimits excessive protrusive (forward) movements of the mandible
Fascial originIt is a thickened band of the superficial layer of deep cervical fascia (investing fascia)

Location & Relationships

  • It is located posteromedial to the parotid gland
  • It forms the posterior boundary of the stylomandibular tunnel — the space through which the deep lobe of the parotid gland extends, bounded anteriorly by the ramus of the mandible and posteriorly by the stylomandibular ligament
  • It separates the parapharyngeal space from the submandibular space
  • It also separates the parotid gland (above/lateral) from the submandibular gland (below/medial)
  • The stylomandibular ligament is divided surgically during parapharyngeal tumor excision to allow anterior retraction of the mandible for wider access

Diagram

Stylomandibular ligament and extracapsular ligaments of TMJ
Extracapsular ligaments of the TMJ — Gray's Anatomy for Students
As seen in the diagram, the stylomandibular ligament runs from the styloid process down to the angle and posterior border of the mandible.
Sources:
  • Gray's Anatomy for Students — Extracapsular ligaments of the TMJ
  • K.J. Lee's Essential Otolaryngology — Deep Cervical Fascia
  • Cummings Otolaryngology — Parotid Glands, Parapharyngeal Space
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