Functions
It supports the major jaw muscle necessary for biting and chewing of food and speech. The bone provides attachment to another muscle called zygomaticus major, which helps to produces facial expressions like smiling. It forms the structure and shape of your face too.
Diseases/ Fracture/ Injury
Zygomatic bone is fractured secondary to the bone of nose. Bone is fractured due to falls, road traffic accidents, or sports injuries. The fractures are not seen on x-rays clearly and can be missed. Bone fracture may reduce the mobility of the jaw and may lead to permanent deformity of the face.
Interesting fact(s)
Dimpled cheek: Variation in formation of zygomaticus muscle like bifurcated attachment leads to the formation of dimple.
Reptiles and birds have the zygomatic bone too. It is called as jugal bone in them.
