Frequency of Occurrence of the Zygomandibularis Muscle: A Recently Described Structure

Abstract:

Many anatomical variations of the infratemporal area exist: muscle fusion, muscle belly separation, distinctly different origins, and both separate and aponeurotic insertions. This study is an attempt to find the frequency of occurrence of the zygomandibularis muscle, a recently described human structure. The zygomandibularis muscle may occur unilaterally, bilaterally, or may be absent. In this study, 23 female caucasian cadavers and 27 male caucasian cadavers were evaluated; the zygomandibularis muscle was found in 42% of the population of 50 cadavers.