Topics

Topic

design image
Zygomatic arch

The zygomatic arch is a bony bridge on the lateral aspect of the face, formed by the temporal process of the zygomatic bone anteriorly and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone posteriorly. It is slender and curved, spanning laterally from the zygomatic bone to the temporal bone, and contributes to the prominence of the cheek. The arch serves as an attachment site for the masseter muscle, providing leverage for mastication, and forms the inferolateral boundary of the orbit. Its thin cortical structure and superficial location make it susceptible to trauma, while its shape and orientation are key for facial aesthetics, surgical reconstruction, and cephalometric analysis.

Synonyms

  • Malar arch

  • Cheekbone arch

  • Zygomatico-temporal arch

Function

  • Provides attachment for the masseter muscle, critical for mastication

  • Contributes to lateral facial contour and cheek prominence

  • Forms part of the inferolateral orbital boundary

  • Serves as an important anatomical landmark for craniofacial measurements and surgical procedures

MRI Appearance
T1-weighted images:

  • Appears as a linear hypointense bony structure

  • Surrounded by hyperintense subcutaneous fat, which delineates its contour

  • The thin cortical bone is sharply defined, while the marrow inside may appear slightly hyperintense

  • Fractures or bone lesions show disruption of the low-signal cortex or abnormal marrow signal

T2-weighted images:

  • The cortical bone remains hypointense, with marrow showing intermediate signal

  • Adjacent fat is hyperintense, improving visibility of the arch and surrounding soft tissues

  • Useful for identifying edema, bone contusions, or inflammatory changes

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fat suppression highlights bone marrow or soft tissue pathology

  • Normal zygomatic arch cortex remains hypointense, while edema or fractures appear hyperintense

CT Appearance

  • Appears as a hyperdense, well-corticated bony arch spanning from the zygomatic bone to the temporal bone

  • Surrounding soft tissue is intermediate density, while adjacent air-filled structures (maxillary sinus, orbit) are hypodense, providing natural contrast

  • Best visualized in axial, coronal, and 3D reconstructions for trauma assessment, fractures, or surgical planning

  • Cortical continuity, thickness, curvature, and any displacement or comminution can be clearly evaluated

MRI images

Zygomatic arch mri axial image -img-00000-00000

CT VRT 3D image

Zygomatic arch 3d

X ray image

x ray facial bone PA