ORIGINAL ARTICLE The Subzygomatic Fossa A Practical Landmark in Identifying the Zygomaticus Major Muscle

Objective:To test the validity of the subzygomatic fossa as a possible landmark in identifying the origin of the zy-gomaticus major muscle (ZMM). Methods: Twenty-three fresh cadaver facial halves were dissected. Four references points were identified in each cadaver head: the zygomatic arch, the malar eminence, the modiolus, and the ZMM insertion notch. The ZMM insertion notch is a palpable landmark that is typically identified midway between the zygomatic arch and the malar eminience. A straight linewas drawn from theZMM insertion notch to the modiolus. An additional line was drawn from the malar eminence to the modiolus. An in-cision was made along the each line to the depth of the facial muscles. The presence or absence of the ZMMwas recorded, and the location of the ZMM insertion notc