Zygomatic
/ˌzaɪ.ɡəˈmæt.ɪk/noun
Relating to the cheekbone or the arch formed by the cheekbone and temporal bone.
Did you know?Ancient Greek zygōma meant “yoke” or “that which joins,” because the zygomatic arch connects facial and cranial bones like a yoke joining two sides.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yugóm
“A yoke; something joined or connected”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ζυγόν (zygon)
“Yoke; a joining bar or connection”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ζύγωμα (zygōma)
“A yoke-like structure or something joined”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ζυγωματικός (zygōmatikos)
“Of or relating to the zygōma”
17th Century
New Latin
zygomaticus
“Anatomical term relating to the cheekbone”
Modern English
English
zygomatic
“Relating to the cheekbone or zygomatic arch”