Malar bone

Malar Bone

The Malar bone, also known as the Zygomatic bone or Cheekbone, is a paired bone of the human skull. It articulates with the maxilla, temporal bone, sphenoid bone, and frontal bone. It forms part of the orbit and the temporal fossa, and presents a malar and a temporal surface; four processes, the frontal, zygomatic, temporal, and maxillary; and four borders.

Structure

The malar bone is roughly quadrangular in shape, and presents a malar and a temporal surface; four processes, the frontal, zygomatic, temporal, and maxillary; and four borders.

Surfaces

The malar surface is convex and perforated near its center by a small aperture, the zygomaticofacial foramen, for the passage of the zygomaticofacial nerve.

The temporal surface, directed backward and medialward, is concave, presenting medially a rough, triangular area, for articulation with the maxilla; and laterally a smooth, concave surface, the upper part of which forms the anterior boundary of the temporal fossa, the lower a part of the infratemporal fossa. Near the center of this surface is the zygomaticotemporal foramen for the transmission of the zygomaticotemporal nerve.

Processes

The frontal process is a strong process of bone, which projects upward, and forms the lateral part of the orbit.

The zygomatic process is a rough triangular eminence, situated at the back part of the bone.

The temporal process, long, narrow, and serrated, articulates with the zygomatic process of the temporal.

The maxillary process is short and truncated, and articulates with the maxilla.

Clinical significance

Due to its position, the malar bone is often involved in facial traumas and fractures. The management of such injuries involves the assessment of the fracture pattern, which can be complex due to the bone's articulations with four other bones.

See also

• Zygomatic complex fracture
• Zygomatic arch
• Zygomatic process
• Zygomaticofacial foramen
• Zygomaticotemporal foramen