Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
zygomatic process

zygomatic process

9.1
A thin part of the skull at the side of the face that helps form the cheekbone
  • noun
  • /ˌzaɪɡəˈmætɪk ˈprɒsɛs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : proceso cigomático
  • The zygomatic process is crucial for connecting the cheekbone to the skull structure.

Examples

  • The tumor also involved the squama of the temporal bone, the zygomatic process, and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.

    Academic text (2005)

  • During the surgery, the doctor carefully examined the zygomatic process for any damage.

  • Radiology reports often note the condition of the zygomatic process in skull X-rays.

Surface Forms

zygomatic process singular
zygomatic processes plural

Morphology

zygomatic + process

The meaning is directly compositional: 'zygomatic' specifies the cheek/zygomatic region and 'process' denotes a bony projection, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it is a bony projection of the zygomatic area. Anatomical naming is generally descriptive and follows cross-linguistic medical/Latin conventions, which further supports immediate interpretability.

Etymology

Zygomatic process comes from old words: zygomatic meant 'yoke', like a small bar that joins two parts, and process meant 'projecting part'. So it pictures a thin bit of bone that sticks out to join and support the cheek, which is why the name means the bony projection that helps form the cheekbone.