Zygomatic process of the maxilla: support of the cheekbone
- Highlighted area
Quick facts
- Definition
- Lateral projection of the body of the maxilla that articulates with the zygomatic bone.
- Location
- In the area of the bony cheek, below and beside the lower border of the orbit.
- Function
- Supports the zygomatic bone and forms the zygomaticomaxillary buttress, which transmits chewing load to the skull base.
- Relevance in HOF
- Explains the bony projection of the midface and why the cheekbone has limits that soft tissue does not correct.
The zygomatic process of the maxilla is a bony projection that leaves the side of the body of the maxilla, at cheek level, and joins the zygomatic bone. This junction is one of the pillars that support the middle third of the face and largely defines the bony position of the cheekbone.
Where is it and what does it form?
It lies just below and beside the lower border of the orbit. A ridge runs from it down toward the first upper molar, called the zygomaticomaxillary buttress. This buttress carries the force of chewing up to the skull, which explains the solidity of the area.
On the face, the process and the zygomatic bone create the bony relief that light accentuates from the front. The shape and height of this junction vary between people and between populations, and it is one of the reasons one patient's cheekbone does not look like another's.
| Structure | Role in this area |
|---|---|
| Zygomatic process of the maxilla | Bony base that supports the zygomatic bone |
| Zygomatic bone | Forms the prominence of the cheekbone |
| Zygomatic arch | Continues backward to the temple |
| Maxillary sinus | Air cavity just below and medial |
Why does it matter to whoever plans the midface?
Malar projection has a bony component and a soft-tissue component. With age, the bone resorbs slightly, deep fat shifts and ligaments give way. In some patients, what looks like lack of volume is in fact malar hypoplasia, that is, a bony base that has always been less projected.
Understanding this avoids a common mistake: trying to compensate with product volume for what is an absence of structure. Filler can contribute to the perception of projection, but within limits imposed by anatomy, which should be discussed with the patient.
And the risks of the area?
Near the junction between the maxilla and the zygomatic bone pass the infraorbital nerve, through the foramen of the same name, and vessels such as the infraorbital artery. The zygomatic ligament also attaches in this area and defines the boundary between the cheek and the groove. The area calls for detailed anatomical knowledge and tolerates little improvisation.
Also called: zygomatic apophysis of the maxilla.
Frequently asked questions
What is the relationship between the zygomatic process of the maxilla and the cheekbone?
The cheekbone is formed mainly by the zygomatic bone, which rests on the zygomatic process of the maxilla. The bony projection of this union influences the volume and position of the malar area.