Zygomaticus Major, Lateral View

Description

Arcing obliquely across the lateral cheek, the zygomaticus major originates from the zygomatic bone near the zygomaticotemporal suture and runs anteroinferiorly to blend at the modiolus and skin at the angle of the mouth. Superficial to the buccinator and anterior to the masseter, its fibers cross the mid-cheek over the buccal fat pad, sitting inferior to the zygomatic arch and lateral to the maxilla. Nearby facial expression muscles are logically included in this lateral field, including orbicularis oculi around the orbit, zygomaticus minor and levator labii superioris toward the upper lip, and orbicularis oris encircling the oral fissure. In the neck, the sternocleidomastoid and the suprahyoid region typically frame the mandibular angle. Functionally, the zygomaticus major is the main elevator and retractor of the oral commissure, creating the characteristic superolateral pull of a smile. This view matters when teaching the relationship of the muscle to the modiolus and to the course of the facial nerve: buccal and zygomatic branches run in the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and are at risk during facelift, parotid surgery, and repair of facial lacerations across the cheek. Small asymmetries here read clinically as facial palsy. Fast. Use this lateral plate for gross anatomy and head and neck modules, for surgical atlases covering rhytidectomy planes and parotidectomy landmarks, and for patient-facing counseling graphics on facial nerve injury, smile reanimation, or scar placement along relaxed skin tension lines of the cheek. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.