Zygomatic arch

The zygomatic arch (Latin zygomatic arch ) is a strong bony ridge of the skull in mammals. He begins below the eye socket and pulls horizontally towards the ear. The zygomatic arch is easily felt through the skin.

The zygomatic arch is composed of two bones appendages. The temporal bone extension of the zygomatic bone ( processus temporalis ossis zygomatici ) forms the front portion of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone ( zygomatic process of the temporal ossis ) the rear. Both projections are connected to each other by an oblique suture. Above the external auditory canal, the zygomatic arch is in a shallow bony ridge ( Crista supramastoidea ) continued on the temporal squama. From the temporal bone extension attracts approximately at right angles nor the frontal process of the zygomatic bone ( processus frontalis ossis zygomatici ) upwards, which limits the eye socket behind. When predators of this extension is very short and does not join with the zygomatic process of the frontal bone ( zygomatic process ossis frontalis).

The zygomatic arch laterally limited and below the temporal fossa ( temporal fossa ). Its upper edge is used to approach the fascia of the temporal region ( temporal fascia ), the bottom edge is the origin of the masseter muscle, the main muscle of mastication.