Skull Bones: Zygomatic

The skull is complicated if you don’t approach it one thing at a time.  Begin with the flat bones of the skull. Then, examine the suturesImmovable joints between skull bones; zigzag or wavy seams. that connect them to each other. This is always a great way to start.  Another thing to note before getting started is that there are two structures within the skull. The cranial vault holds your brain. Your facial bones are where your brain isn’t.  

The zygomaticCheekbones; form lateral walls of orbits and connect to temporal bones via zygomatic process. bone is the cheek bone.  We saw this before because a few of the other bones we’ve discussed articulate with the zygomatic bone.   We are concerned with the temporal processProjection of zygomatic bone that connects with temporal bone’s zygomatic process to form the zygo, which is on the zygomatic bone and juts out to the posterior.  This is a feature that’s hard to relate to in person. It is even more difficult to recognize and explain in a virtual class like this.

If we turn a skull over and look at the inferiorBelow or toward the lower part of the body. face of it (where the spineProminent ridge on the posterior scapula dividing it into supraspinous and infraspinous fossae. hole or foramen magnumLarge hole at base of skull for spinal cord to pass through. is), it looks like the skull has handles on the side. These handles are called the zygomatic arches and are actually made of of projections from two bones, not one.  This arch includes part of a projection from the zygomatic bone, which is called the temporal process. It also includes part of a projection from the temporal boneBones on the sides of the skull near the ears; house structures of hearing and balance., known as the zygomatic processProjection of the temporal bone that connects to the cheekbone (zygomatic bone)..  Note that each process is NOT named for the bone it is part of. Instead, it is named for the bone with which it articulates.

Put your finger on the point of your cheek bone.  You are on the temporal process.  Move your finger posteriorly toward your ear.  You are moving over the zygomatic arch (which, again, is made of BOTH the zygomatic process AND the temporal process).  Right in front of your ear, you pass the suture line of the zygomatic and temporal bones. You then end up touching the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.   

The zygomatic process, comes off the temporal bone and connects with your zygomatic bone, or the cheek bone.  The process is not named for the bone from which it originates. Instead, it is named for the bone with which it articulates or connects.  I recommend looking at the description of the zygomatic bone right now to see how these two processes articulate.

Identify More Bones

<Back to the Bone Identification Main Page

• ShareCopied to clipboard
• Print