How Do You Spell ZYGOMATICUS?

Pronunciation: [zˌa͡ɪɡəmˈatɪkəs] (IPA)

The word "zygomaticus" refers to a facial muscle that controls the movement of the cheeks and mouth. Its correct spelling reflects its Greek origin, with the letter "z" representing the Greek letter "zeta". The IPA phonetic transcription for "zygomaticus" is /zaɪɡəˈmætɪkəs/, with the accent on the second syllable. The spelling of this word can be tricky due to its unusual combination of letters, but it's important to get it right in medical and scientific contexts.

ZYGOMATICUS Meaning and Definition

1. Zygomaticus is a term primarily used in the field of anatomy and refers to a specific muscle located in the human face. The zygomaticus muscle is a facial muscle that is responsible for various movements and expressions involving the cheeks and the corners of the mouth. It derives its name from the zygomatic bone, also known as the cheekbone, to which it is attached.

   The zygomaticus muscle consists of two main parts: the zygomaticus major and the zygomaticus minor. The zygomaticus major is the larger of the two and extends from the cheekbone to the corner of the mouth. Its contraction is involved in the production of smiling, pulling the corners of the mouth upward and outward. The zygomaticus minor, located just above the major, also contributes to smiling but to a lesser extent.

   These muscles play a crucial role in facial expression, particularly in conveying positive emotions like happiness or joy. When a person smiles or experiences amusement, the zygomaticus muscles contract, resulting in the characteristic elevation of the corners of the mouth. This movement creates visible dimples on the cheeks and is an essential component of a genuine, natural smile.

   Understanding the functions and properties of the zygomaticus muscles is important in various fields such as anatomy, medicine, dentistry, and even in disciplines like theater or character animation, where accurate portrayal of facial expressions is crucial.

2. See under musculus.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for ZYGOMATICUS

• xygomaticus
• sygomaticus
• aygomaticus
• ztgomaticus
• zggomaticus
• zhgomaticus
• zugomaticus
• z7gomaticus
• z6gomaticus
• zyfomaticus
• zyvomaticus
• zybomaticus
• zyhomaticus
• zyyomaticus
• zytomaticus
• zygimaticus
• zygkmaticus
• zyglmaticus
• zygpmaticus
• zyg0maticus

Etymology of ZYGOMATICUS

The word "zygomaticus" comes from the Latin term "zygomaticus", derived from the Greek word "zugon" meaning "yoke" or "pair", and "zein" meaning "to join" or "to yoke". The term refers to the yoke-shaped bone called "zygoma" or "zygomatic arch" in English, which is located on the side of the face, connecting the cheekbone to the temporal bone of the skull. The term was first used in Anatomical contexts to describe the muscle that is connected to the zygomatic arch, known as "musculus zygomaticus", responsible for facial expressions such as smiling.

Similar spelling words for ZYGOMATICUS

• Zygomatic Arch,
• zygomatic,
• Zygomatic Bone.