Zygoma
/zaɪˈɡoʊmə/noun
The cheekbone, or the bony arch formed by the cheekbone and adjacent skull bones.
Did you know?The Greek root behind zygoma also produced the word “yoga,” both ultimately referring to joining, yoking, or bringing things into union.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yugóm
“Yoke; something joined or harnessed together”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ζυγόν (zygón)
“Yoke; a joining bar or anything shaped like a yoke”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ζύγωμα (zýgōma)
“A yoke-shaped structure or joint”
Roman Imperial Period
Medical Greek
zygōma
“The cheekbone or bony arch, named for its yoke-like form”
16th Century
New Latin
zygoma
“An anatomical term for the cheekbone”
Modern English
English
zygoma
“The cheekbone or zygomatic arch”