What is "zygomatic process"

Zygomatic \Zyg`o*mat"ic\ (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. zygomatique.] (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the zygoma.

Zygomatic arch, the arch of bone beneath the orbit, formed in most mammals by the union of the malar, or jugal, with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. In the lower vertebrates other bones may help to form it, and there may be two arches on each side of the skull, as in some reptiles.

Zygomatic process, a process of the temporal or squamosal bone helping to form the zygomatic arch.

n. (context anatomy English) A protrusion from the rest of the skull, most of it belonging to the zygomatic bone, but also contributed to by the frontal bone, maxilla and temporal bone.

n. a slender process of the temporal bone that strengthens the zygomatic arch

Zygomatic process is a protrusion from the rest of the skull, like the bumper of a car. Most of it belongs to the zygomatic bone, and could therefore be called the zygomatic process of the zygomatic bone. However, there are other bones contributing to it too, namely the frontal bone, maxilla and temporal bone, which therefore form:

• Zygomatic process of frontal bone
• Zygomatic process of maxilla
• Zygomatic process of temporal bone

The term zygomatic derives from the Greek Ζυγόμα zygoma meaning "yoke". The zygomatic process is occasionally referred to as the zygoma, but this term usually refers to the zygomatic bone or occasionally the zygomatic arch.