The zygomatic processes (aka. malar) are three processes (protrusions) from other bones of the skull which each articulate with the zygomatic bone. The three processes are:[1]
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.
| Zygomatic process of frontal bone | |
| Latin: | processus zygomaticus ossis frontalis |
The supraorbital margin of the frontal bone ends laterally in its zygomatic process, which is strong and prominent, and articulates with the zygomatic bone. The zygomatic process of the frontal bone extends from the frontal bone laterally and inferiorly.
| Zygomatic process of maxilla | |
| Latin: | processus zygomaticus maxillae |
The zygomatic process of the maxilla[2] is a rough triangular eminence, situated at the angle of separation of the anterior, zygomatic, and orbital surfaces.
| Zygomatic process of temporal bone | |
| Latin: | processus zygomaticus ossis temporalis |
The zygomatic process of the temporal bone is a long, arched process projecting from the lower part of the squamous portion of the temporal bone. It articulates with the zygomatic bone.
This process is at first directed lateralward, its two surfaces looking upward and downward; it then appears as if twisted inward upon itself, and runs forward, its surfaces now looking medialward and lateralward.
The superior border is long, thin, and sharp, and serves for the attachment of the temporal fascia.
The inferior border, short, thick, and arched, has attached to it some fibers of the masseter.
The lateral surface is convex and subcutaneous. The medial surface is concave, and affords attachment to the masseter.
The anterior end is deeply serrated and articulates with the zygomatic bone. The posterior end is connected to the squama by two roots, the anterior and posterior roots:
The zygomatic bone itself has four processes, namely the frontosphenoidal, orbital, maxillary and temporal processes.
The frontosphenoidal process is thick and serrated. The cranial suture between the frontal and zygomatic bone is found here. On its orbital surface, just within the orbital margin and about 11 mm below the zygomaticofrontal suture is a tubercle of varying size and form, but present in 95 per cent of skulls (Whitnall 43). This tubercle is not seen in the picture.
The orbital process is a thick, strong plate, projecting backward and medialward from the orbital margin. It is the gloomy area beneath the lac(rimal) and ethmoidal bones in the image.
The maxillary process presents a rough, triangular surface which articulates with the maxilla. It is the area below "zygomatic" in the image.
The temporal process, long, narrow, and serrated, articulates with the zygomatic process of the temporal. It is the process to the right of "zygomatic" in the image.