Final answer:
The cheekbones are called the zygomatic bones and form part of the eye socket while contributing to the zygomatic arch, which is important for facial aesthetics and muscle attachment for chewing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cheekbones are known as the zygomatic bones in anatomical terms. These are a paired set of bones located on either side of the face, playing a vital role in forming the structure and appearance of the cheeks. Each zygomatic bone makes up a significant part of the lateral wall of the orbit (the eye socket) and the lateral-inferior margins of the anterior orbital opening.
Additionally, the zygomatic bones contribute to the formation of the zygomatic arch, a bony structure of the skull. The short temporal process of the zygomatic bone extends posteriorly to join with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which comes forward from the temporal bone. Together, these processes form the zygomatic arch, located on the side of the skull that extends from the cheek area to just above the ear canal. The zygomatic arch plays a role in facial aesthetics and is also functionally important as one of the attachment points for the muscles that elevate the mandible during biting and chewing.