The two zygomatic bones form the skeleton of the cheeks.

Each consists of a trapezoidal body

with two processes projecting from the upper and lower corners of the posterior margin; the
frontal and temporal processes respectively. An orbital plate projects inwards from the upper
margin.

The lateral surface of the body of the zygomatic bone is smooth and slightly convex. The medial
or maxillary margin articulates with the zygomatic process of the maxillary bone. The inferior
border is free and provides attachment for the masseter muscle. The posterior or temporal margin
is notched and inferiorly it projects as the ‘temporal process’, whose serrated margin unites with
the zygomatic process of the temporal bone to form the ‘zygomatic arch’. Superiorly, the temporal
margin continues upwards as the posterior border of the frontal process, giving attachment to the
temporal fascia. The frontal process itself articulates with the zygomatic process of the frontal
bone. The superior or orbital margin of the zygomatic bone is concave and contributes to both the
inferior and lateral margins of the orbit.

Projecting inwards from the orbital margin is a shelf of bone that forms an orbital plate. Its upper
or orbital surface is concave and forms the anterior part of the lateral wall of the orbit. The
superior margin of the orbital plate at the frontal process articulates with the zygomatic process of
the frontal bone. Just below this margin, there is usually a small tubercle. This is known as the
‘marginal tubercle’ or ‘Whitnall's tubercle’, and to it are attached the lateral palpebral raphe from
the orbicularis oculi muscle and the lateral palpebral raphe. The orbital plate also articulates with
the greater wing of the sphenoid bone at the sphenoidal margin.

The entire surface of the zygomatic bone viewed medially is called the ‘temporal surface’. It can
be subdivided into two regions. Anteriorly, it shows a roughened area for articulation with the
zygomatic process of the maxilla. Posteriorly, the temporal surface includes the lower surface of
the orbital plate and the temporal surface of the temporal process. This posterior region is smooth
and forms the anterior boundary of the temporal fossa.

The zygomatic bone has three foramina. On the orbital surface of the orbital plate is the
zygomatico-orbital foramen, through this pass the zygomaticofacial and zygomaticotemporal
branches of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. The zygomaticofacial nerve emerges
onto the face at the zygomaticofacial foramen on the lateral surface of the zygomatic bone. The
zygomaticotemporal nerve passes through the zygomaticotemporal foramen on the temporal
surface of the bone.

The muscles attached to the zygomatic bone are:

i) Levator labii superioris

ii) Masseter

iii) Temporalis

iv) Zygomaticus major

v) Zygomaticus minor