Zygomatic bone: The paired irregular bone forming the cheek and part of the eye socket.

The zygomatic bone is a paired irregular bone in the human skull. It forms the prominence of the cheek and contributes to the lateral wall and floor of the orbit. This structure articulates with the frontal, maxillary, temporal, and sphenoid bones.

Share on WhatsApp

Also known as the cheekbone or malar bone
Forms part of the lateral wall of the orbit
Articulates with four other skull bones
Derived from the Ancient Greek word for yoke
Considered attractive in many cultural depictions

What it is

The zygomatic bone, often called the cheekbone or malar bone, is a paired irregular bone located at the upper and lateral part of the face. It is diamond-shaped and presents both a malar and a temporal surface. This bone forms part of the lateral wall and floor of the orbit, as well as the temporal and infratemporal fossae. It features four processes: frontosphenoidal, orbital, maxillary, and temporal. These structures help define the width and contour of the mid-face.

History and origin

The term zygomatic derives from the Ancient Greek word for yoke. In non-mammalian vertebrates, this structure is known as the jugal bone. It is present in most reptiles, amphibians, and birds, though it is absent in living amphibians and reduced in ray-finned fishes. In mammals, the bone evolved to form the zygomatic arch, losing the bar between the orbit and temporal fenestra seen in earlier ancestors.

What it means

High cheekbones, formed by prominent zygomatic arches, are considered physically attractive in various cultures. Ancient Chinese sculptures of goddesses and Qin warriors often depict broad foreheads and high cheekbones. This aesthetic preference has led some individuals to seek cheek augmentation through cosmetic surgery. The bone's prominence remains a significant factor in facial aesthetics across different societies.

The science

This bone generally ossifies from three centers during fetal development, appearing around the eighth week and fusing by the fifth month. It articulates with the frontal, sphenoid, temporal, and maxillary bones. The malar surface contains the zygomaticofacial foramen for nerve passage. The temporal surface is concave and features the zygomaticotemporal foramen. The orbital surface forms part of the eye socket and transmits the zygomatic nerve.

A drawing made by EveryFaceShape from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real face guide.

In culture

Depictions in art often highlight this feature. The Terracotta Army figures display high cheekbones alongside thick eyebrows and stiff beards. Such representations suggest a historical appreciation for strong facial structures. In modern contexts, the visibility of the zygomatic arch influences perceptions of beauty and symmetry. The bone serves as a key identifier in paleontology for determining skull traits in extinct species.

Isolated right jugal bone (Os jugale; lateral view) from the skull of the large duckbill dinosaur Edmontosaurus annectens from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian, ~68 million years ago) of North America, in the permanent — Isolated right jugal bone (Os jugale; lateral view) from the skull of the large duckbill dinosaur Edmontosaurus annecten. Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Zygomatic bone

What is the zygomatic bone commonly called?

It is commonly referred to as the cheekbone or the malar bone. The term zygoma is also used occasionally, though this may refer to the zygomatic arch.

Which bones does the zygomatic bone connect with?

It articulates with the frontal bone, sphenoid bone, temporal bones, and maxillary bones. These connections help form the structure of the mid-face and eye socket.

How does the zygomatic bone develop in humans?

It generally ossifies from three centers during fetal life. These centers appear around the eighth week and fuse by the fifth month of development.

Why is this bone important in paleontology?

In non-mammalian vertebrates, the homologous jugal bone helps determine general skull traits. It is key for identifying species when entire skulls are not found.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Zygomatic bone", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFaceShape rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

Zygomatic bone