Right zygomatic bone

Looks like

The cheekbone: a four-sided bone forming the prominence of the cheek and the outer rim and floor edge of the eye socket.

What it does

Gives the face its width, protects the eye and anchors the masseter chewing muscle via the cheek arch.

Keeping it well

Often broken by a punch or fall. Flattened cheek, numb cheek/upper lip, double vision or trouble opening the mouth after injury needs an X-ray or CT.

Related conditions

• Achondroplasia
• Acromegaly
• Brain abscess
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Sarcoma
• Traumatic brain injury (moderate to severe)
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency