Korean J Phys Anthropol.  2010 Mar;23(1):33-40.

Topographic Relationship between the Zygomatic Arch and Coronoid Process of the Mandible

• Song WC
• Kim YW
• Han SH
• Hu KS
• Kim HJ
• Koh KS

Abstract

Illustrations in almost all textbooks and atlases of anatomy normally show that the zygomatic arch (ZA) and coronoid process (CP) of the mandible overlap vertically. Their topographic relationship is important for plastic surgeons in various situations, such as restorations of ZA fractures. The present study investigated the topographic relationship between the ZA and CP of the mandible in three-dimensional models of Korean human cadavers. The topographic relationship was classified into three types: overlapped, tangential, and separate. The overlapped type was the most common, but the three types showed similar incidences in three-dimensional models. There were no lateral or sex differences according to the three types. The incidence of both sides showing the same type was 70.1%. In conclusion, the predominance of illustrations in almost all textbooks and atlases showing the overlapped type is misleading, since the other two types - where the CP of the mandible does not overlap the ZA - are almost as common.

Keyword

Zygomatic arch; Coronoid process; Mandible; Anatomy; Topography

MeSH Terms

Cadaver
Humans
Incidence
Mandible
Sex Characteristics
Zygoma