zygomatic

(noun)

This muscle controls the cheeks to create smiles and frowns. 

Related Terms

Examples of zygomatic in the following topics:

  • Facial Bones

    • The viscerocranium (face) includes: vomer, 2 inferior nasal conchae, 2 nasals, maxilla, mandible, palatine, 2 zygomatics, and 2 lacrimals.
    • The two zygomatic bones form the cheeks and contribute to the orbits.
    • The maxilla articulates with the zygomatic, nasal, lacrimal and palatine bones.

  • Cranial Bones

    • There are two processes which originate from the temporal bone, the zygomatic process which projects from the lower squamous region and articulates with the zygomatic bone of the cheek.
    • The sphenosquamosal suture which seperates the sphenoid bone and squama portion of temporal bone, and finally the zygomaticotemporal suture which separates the zygomatic bone and zygomatic process of temporal bone.
    • It also articulates with the zygomatic and nasal bones and the maxilla.

  • General Features and Functions of the Skull

    • The facial skeleton contains the vomer, two nasal conchae, two nasal bones, two maxilla, the mandible, two palatine bones, two zygomatic bones, and two lacrimal bones.
    • The face is made of 2 nasal, 2 lacrimal, 2 palantine, 2 inferior nasal concha, 2 zygomatic, 2 maxilla, 1 mandible, and 1 vomer.

  • Orbits

    • The zygomatic bone forms the lateral (and half of the basal) border of the orbital rim and also the lateral wall of the orbital surface, this is the thickest region of the orbit as it is most exposed to external trauma.

  • Evolution of Mammals

    • The zygomatic arch, or cheekbone, is present in mammals and advanced therapsids such as cynodonts, but is not present in pelycosaurs.
    • The presence of the zygomatic arch suggests the presence of the masseter muscle, which closes the jaw and functions in chewing.

  • Chewing Muscles

    • Highlighted in orange, the temporalis muscle is a broad muscle extending from zygomatic bone.

  • Human Axial Skeleton

    • The 14 facial bones are the nasal bones, maxillary bones, zygomatic bones, palatine, vomer, lacrimal bones, inferior nasal conchae, and mandible.

  • Facial Muscles

    • The zygomatic muscle, associated with the cheeks, is divided into two parts: the major and the minor.

  • The Axial Skeleton

    • Important facial bones include the lower jaw or mandible, the upper jaw or maxilla, the zygomatic or cheek bone, and the nasal bone.