Fig. 35.—a, ridge for origin of the masseter muscle; b, frontal process; c, zygomatic process.
Near the middle of its cranial border it is notched obliquely by a foramen (a), the beginning of the nasolachrymal canal.
Malar Bone. Jugal Bone. Os zygomaticum
([Fig. 35]).—The malar or zygomatic bone is a flat curved plate of bone which forms the lateral wall of the orbit and together with the zygomatic process of the temporal forms the zygomatic arch. Its outer surface is smooth and marked by a longitudinal ridge (a) for attachment of the masseter muscle.
At its caudal end the bone is continued into two processes: one, the frontal process or orbital process (b), is a triangular spine of bone directed caudomediad; when the bones are articulated it lies opposite the zygomatic process of the frontal to which it is joined by a ligament (orbital ligament). The other, zygomatic process (c) of the malar bone, extends ventrocaudad and articulates with a similar process from the temporal to form the zygomatic arch above mentioned.
Its inner surface is smooth and looks into the orbit, except that of the zygomatic process, which looks into the temporal fossa.
Its cranial border is roughened at the expense of both surfaces and articulates with the maxillary bone. Its other borders are smooth except the dorsal border of the zygomatic process, which is roughened for attachment to the zygomatic process of the temporal.
The Mandible. Mandibula
([Figs. 36] and [37]).—The mandible (or inferior maxillary bone) is composed of two halves which come together at the cranial end and form the lower jaw. At its caudal end each half articulates with the temporal bone at the mandibular fossa, and at its cranial end it joins the opposite bone, the suture being known as the symphysis of the jaw (symphysis menti) ([Fig. 37], a).
Each half consists of a horizontal portion, the body (b), bearing teeth on one of its borders (the alveolar border), and of a vertical portion, the ramus (c).