zygomatic arch
Noun
Meaning
zygomatic arch (plural zygomatic arches)
(anatomy) An arch formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygomatic bone.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Examples
All anapsid skulls lack a temporal opening, while all other extant amniotes have temporal openings (although in mammals the hole has become the zygomatic arch ).
Masseters attach from the dentary (specifically, the masseteric fossa) to the zygomatic arch and onto the maxilla in front of the arch, providing crushing force.
In addition to allowing extra room for the passage of muscles to work the lower jaw, the zygomatic arch also allows for differentiation of separate muscle groups to be involved in biting and chewing.