Re: What does the Zygomatic Arch Do???

Dear Tom, 

The zygomatic arch forms the high cheekbones of the face. Its functions 
are:

1. It acts as the origin on one of the muscles of mastication (the masseter 
muscle) which allows you to bite down on your food. You can place the palm 
of your hand on your face (and you can do this by resting your chin  in the 
palm of your hand with your elbow on the table) and then clench your teeth. 
You will feel the masseter muscle contract. 

2. I acts as the origin on two of the muscles of facial expression, the 
zygomaticus major and the zygomaticus minor (these allow you to elevate the 
corner of your mouth when you hear a funny story).

3. It acts as a bridge, because another powerful muscle of mastication, the 
temporalis muscle, passes underneath the zygomatic arch. You can feel the 
contraction of the temporalis muscle by placing your fingers on your temple 
and clenching your teeth.

4. Finally, the zygomatic arch acts as a protection device. Since it is in 
the form of an arch it has a great deal of structural strength so it 
protects the face against strong blows to the face.

I hope this helps,

Leslie P. gartner, Ph.D
Anatomy-OCBS
Dental School 
University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD 21201