B. Venous malformation
The PPS is often described as an inverted pyramid, with the base centered at the skull base and the apex at the greater cornu of the hyoid bone. Tumors of the PPS account for approximately 0.5% of head and neck neoplasms, and 80% are benign.1 The PPS is separated into prestyloid and poststyloid compartments by the tensor veli palatini muscle and the styloid process.1 Tumors in the PPS arise from structures that normally occupy the prestyloid and poststyloid compartments. The prestyloid space is composed of lymph nodes, adipose tissue, and a portion of the deep lobe of the parotid gland. Consequently, salivary gland neoplasms are the most common tumors found in the prestyloid PPS.2 The poststyloid PPS contains the internal carotid artery, the internal jugular vein, cranial nerves IX to XII, lymph nodes, and the sympathetic chain. As such, neurogenic tumors are the most commonly identified tumors in this compartment.2