Zygomatic bone facts for kids
| Bone: Zygomatic bone | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Left zygomatic bone in situ | ||
 |
||
| Side view of the teeth and jaws (zygomatic visible in center) | ||
| Latin | os zygomaticum, zygoma | |
The zygomatic bone, also known as the cheekbone or malar bone, is a special bone in your face. You have two of them, one on each side, and they make up the part of your face that sticks out to form your cheeks. These bones are very important because they also help create the bottom part of your eye socket, which is the bony area that holds your eyeball.
Contents
What is the Zygomatic Bone?
The zygomatic bone is a strong, paired bone. This means you have two of them, one on the left side of your face and one on the right. It's a key part of your skull and helps give your face its shape.
Where Can You Find Your Cheekbone?
You can easily feel your zygomatic bone! It's the bony part that forms the prominence of your cheek just below your eyes. It connects to several other bones in your face and skull.
What Does the Zygomatic Bone Do?
The zygomatic bone has several important jobs:
- It helps protect your eyes by forming part of the orbit, or eye socket.
- It gives shape to your face, creating the cheek prominence.
- It provides a place for some of your chewing muscles to attach. This helps you move your jaw and chew food.
Connections to Other Bones
The zygomatic bone connects to four other bones in your skull. These connections are called articulations.
- Frontal bone: This is the bone that makes up your forehead.
- Maxilla: This is your upper jaw bone.
- Temporal bone: This bone is on the side of your head, near your ear.
- Sphenoid bone: This is a complex bone inside your skull, behind your eyes.
These connections help make your skull strong and stable.
Why Are Cheekbones Important?
Your cheekbones are important for both protection and function. They act like a shield for your eyes, helping to keep them safe from injury. They also play a role in how your face looks and how you can move your jaw to eat and speak.
Images for kids
-
This jugal bone from an Edmontosaurus is over three feet (1 meter) long
-
Left zygomatic bone, malar surface
-
Left zygomatic bone, temporal surface
-
Left infratemporal fossa
See also
In Spanish: Hueso cigomático para niños
