Zygomatic Bone Flashcards

Examine the zygomatic bone's surfaces, processes, articulations, orbital contributions, foramina, muscle attachments, and clinical landmarks.

Card 1 of 25Question

What is the zygomatic bone?

A paired facial bone forming the prominence of the cheek and contributing to the orbit and zygomatic arch.

In This Section

1. What is the zygomatic bone?

A paired facial bone forming the prominence of the cheek and contributing to the orbit and zygomatic arch.

2. Where is the zygomatic bone located?

In the superolateral midface, between the maxilla, frontal bone, sphenoid bone, and temporal bone.

3. What are the three principal surfaces of the zygomatic bone?

The lateral (facial), temporal, and orbital surfaces.

4. What are the three processes of the zygomatic bone?

The frontal, temporal, and maxillary processes.

5. Which four bones articulate with the zygomatic bone?

The frontal, sphenoid, temporal, and maxillary bones.

6. Which part of the zygomatic bone articulates with the frontal bone?

The frontal process, forming the frontozygomatic suture.

7. What forms the zygomatic arch?

The temporal process of the zygomatic bone and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.

8. What is the zygomaticomaxillary suture?

The fibrous joint between the zygomatic bone and maxilla.

9. Which part of the orbit is formed by the zygomatic bone?

The anterolateral orbital wall, lateral orbital rim, and part of the orbital floor.

10. Which part of the zygomatic bone articulates with the greater wing of the sphenoid?

The posterior portion of its orbital surface.

11. What is the zygomaticofacial foramen?

An opening on the lateral surface of the zygomatic bone transmitting the zygomaticofacial nerve and vessels.

12. Which nerve emerges through the zygomaticotemporal foramen?

The zygomaticotemporal nerve, supplying sensation to the anterior temporal region.

13. What is the zygomatico-orbital foramen?

An opening on the orbital surface through which the zygomatic nerve enters the bone.

14. From which division of the trigeminal nerve does the zygomatic nerve arise?

The maxillary division (cranial nerve V2).

15. Which muscle originates from the lateral surface of the zygomatic bone and adjacent zygomatic arch?

The zygomaticus major muscle.

16. Which facial expression muscle originates from the anterior portion of the zygomatic bone?

The zygomaticus minor muscle.

17. Which major muscle of mastication originates from the zygomatic arch?

The masseter muscle.

18. Which muscle attaches to the medial surface of the zygomatic arch?

The temporalis muscle takes part of its origin from the medial surface of the arch.

19. What is the temporal surface of the zygomatic bone?

Its posteromedial surface, contributing to the anterior boundaries of the temporal and infratemporal fossae.

20. What is the marginal process of the zygomatic bone?

A variable projection along the posterior border of its frontal process that can provide attachment for temporal fascia.

21. Which arteries contribute to the blood supply of the zygomatic bone and surrounding periosteum?

Branches of the infraorbital, transverse facial, and zygomatico-orbital arterial networks.

22. How does the zygomatic bone primarily develop embryologically?

Through intramembranous ossification of neural crest-derived mesenchyme.

23. What is a zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture?

A fracture involving the zygomatic bone and its articulations with the maxilla, frontal, sphenoid, or temporal bones.

24. Why can a displaced zygomatic arch fracture restrict mouth opening?

The depressed arch may mechanically obstruct movement of the mandibular coronoid process.

25. Which sensory disturbance may follow injury to the orbital floor in a zygomaticomaxillary fracture?

Numbness of the cheek, upper lip, or lower eyelid from infraorbital nerve injury.