Facial bones

Definition

Facial bones are the fourteen bones that support the muscles and organs of the face and form its structure. They include the mandible (lower jaw), two maxillae (upper jaw), two zygomatic bones (cheekbones), and others, excluding the mandible, they are all connected directly to the skull.

Related terms

Mandible:

The largest and strongest bone of the face that forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place.

Zygomatic bones: Also known as cheekbones, these are paired bones on each side of the face that give prominence to the cheeks and form part of the eye sockets.

Maxilla: A pair of symmetrical bones that form the upper jaw, hold upper teeth, and play key roles in forming the boundaries of three facial cavities - nasal, oral, and orbital