HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which bone forms the prominence of the cheeks?

1. Mandible

2. Maxilla

3. Zygomatic bone

4. Nasal bone

The correct answer is: Zygomatic bone

The zygomatic bone, also known as the cheekbone, is the bone that forms the prominence of the cheeks. It plays a crucial role in the structure of the face, providing shape and contour. The zygomatic bone connects with several other bones in the skull, including the maxilla, frontal bone, and temporal bone, contributing to the orbit of the eye and the sides of the face. Its position is key to supporting facial muscles that allow for expression and movement related to the cheeks. In contrast, the mandible is the jawbone, which is located lower in the facial skeleton and involved in chewing and articulation. The maxilla forms the upper jaw and holds the upper teeth, while the nasal bone contributes to the structure of the nose, neither of which creates the prominent contour of the cheeks that the zygomatic bone does.