This is the lateral thick projection of the supra-orbital margin. It forms the superolateral border of the orbit and its inferior surface forms a deep denticulate articulation with the zygomatic bone.

This bone, originally named by Galen the os zygoma, comes from the Greek word zygon meaning yoke after its resemblance to a yoke placed on oxen. The term process is Latin meaning to move forward. It denotes a projection of bone.