The zygomatic bone (from the Latin zygoma, coming from the Greek dzugoûn, meaning to join) or malar bone, is a bone contained in the bony structure of the facial skull.

Position. Two in number, the zygomatic bones are located at the level of the facial skull, one of the two parts of the skull. The latter consists of 29 bones divided into two parts (1) (2):

• The cerebral skull, ovoid in shape and comprising eight bones, constitutes the cranial box and envelops the brain.
• The facial skull forms the facial mass and has 14 bones, including the zygomatic bones.

Overall structure. The skull is made up of 29 bones divided into two parts (1) (2).

• The cerebral skull, ovoid in shape and comprising eight bones, constitutes the cranial box and envelops the brain.
• The facial skull, made up of 14 bones, including the zygomatic bones, and forms the facial mass.

Facial skull structure. The facial skull is made up of 14 bones and forms the eye sockets, nasal cavities, as well as the oral cavity. It can be divided into two parts, the inferior and superior facials (1) (2). The latter mass is in particular composed of the zygomatic bones.

Zygomatic bone structure. The zygomatic bone forms the lateral faces of the eye sockets, and is made up of different parts (3):

• The frontal process is a projection articulating above with the frontal bone.
• The temporal process is a protrusion that articulates behind the temporal bone to form the zygomatic arch, the skeleton of the cheekbones.
• The orbital face, forming the lateral face of the orbit, has a hole, the zygomato-orbital foramen.
• The lower surface articulates with the maxilla.
• The external and lateral face contains the zygomatico-facial foramen, allowing the passage of the zygomatic nerve.

Zygomatic bones serve as insertion points for zygomatic muscles

Vision. The zygomatic bone allows the formation of the eye sockets containing the organs of vision.

Communication. The zygomatic bone supports the zygomatic muscles responsible for smiling.

Certain conditions can affect the bones of the skull, such as the zygomatic bones. Their causes are varied but can be linked to malformations, deformations, degenerative diseases or trauma.

Cranial injuries. The zygomatic bone can suffer trauma in the form of cracks or fractures. In some cases, head damage can be accompanied by brain damage.

• Crack of the skull. The crack is the lightest lesion but should be watched to avoid any complications.
• Skull fracture. The zygomatic bone will fracture.

Bone pathologies. Zygomatic bone can be affected by bone pathology.

• Paget’s disease. This bone disease is defined by an acceleration of bone remodeling, which can affect the skull. Symptoms are bone pain, headache, and head deformities (4).
• Bone tumors. Benign or malignant tumors can develop in the bones of the skull.

Medical treatment. Depending on the pathology diagnosed, certain drugs may be prescribed such as painkillers.

Surgical treatment. Depending on the pathology diagnosed, surgery may be performed.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy or targeted therapy. Depending on the type and stage of the tumor, these treatments may be used to destroy cancer cells.

Physical examination. First, a clinical examination is performed to identify and assess the symptoms perceived by the patient.

Imaging exams. In a second step, additional examinations may be performed such as a brain scan or brain MRI.

Description of the brain. Thomas Willis is an English doctor considered one of the pioneers of neurology. He was one of the first to present a concrete description of the brain, notably through his treatise cerebral anatome. (5)

Paget’s disease. This disease owes its name to Sir James Paget, British surgeon and pathologist.