Foramen on Frontal Process of Zygomatic Bone

Abstract

Foramina in the orbit are well described in the literature. But the author of the present study observed an unusual foramen in the frontal process of the zygomatic bone, not reported so far, as far as the author knows. This foramen was observed in 2 skulls, in one skull bilaterally and in another skull unilaterally on the left side. The foramen was located on the frontal process bilaterally in one skull and on the left frontal process of another skull. On the right side of the first skull, this foramen was 1 cm inferior to the fronto-zygomatic suture, and on the left side of the same skull, this foramen was 1.5 cm inferior to the fronto-zygomatic suture. The mean diameter of these foramina was 1.1 mm. The diameter of the foramen on the left frontal process of the zygomatic bone of the other skull was 1 mm, and it is located 1.7 cm inferior to the fronto-zygomatic suture. In the present case, the zygomaticofacial foramen was present, but no separate zygomaticotemporal foramen was present. So, in view of the author of the present study, the zygomaticotemporal nerve might have arose from the zygomaticofacial nerve, passed through the fronto-zygomatic foramen and exited through it on the temporal surface of the frontal process of the zygomatic bone, innervating structures in the temporal region. If the clinician is unaware of these foramina, it may result in misdiagnosis on radiographs and intraoperative complications.

Keywords: Zygomatic bone; zygomaticotemporal foramen; zygomaticotemporal nerve.