THE MALAR BONES. 



THE MALAR BONES. 



37 



The malar are two irregular bones which form the 

 osseous support to the cheeks. They are irregularly 

 quadrilateral, and present for examination a body and 

 four processes, 'the frontal, orbital, maxillary, and zygo- 

 matic. The body has an external and an internal sur- 

 face. The external surface is convex, smooth, and, near 

 its upper border, presents the malar foramen, the opening 

 of the temporo-malar canal, which transmits some small 

 branches of the superior maxillary division of the fifth 

 nerve. The posterior surface is concave, and presents a 



(Outer surface. ) (Inner surface. ) 



Fia. 16. MALAR BONES. 



rough surface for articulation with the superior maxillary 

 bone ; it enters into the formation of the temporal and 

 zygomatic fossae. The frontal process is strong and 

 thick, its edges are rounded, and its articulating end is 

 serrated for articulation with the external angular 

 process of the frontal. The orbital margin is arched, 

 with its concavity presenting upward. The orbital 

 process is a curved, shelf-like plate, which projects back- 

 ward from the orbital margin and descends from the 

 frontal process downward and inward ; it assists in form- 

 ing the outer wall and floor of the orbit, and presents 

 the inner opening of the temporo-malar canal. Its 



