Frontal process

In many species, the frontal process (Processus frontalis) emerges on the dorsal border of the zygomatic bone, caudally to the infra-orbital margin and contributes to delimitate the orbit.

In Equidae and Glires, it is totally missing,

in dogs and Pigs, this process forms a short obtuse spike,

in Cats, it is long and sharp but remains free,

in Ruminants and even more in Men, it is strong and thick and unites to the zygomatic process of the frontal bone to separate the orbit from the temporal fossa.

N.B.: The lateral wall (Facies lateralis) of the orbit is also caudal. While it is ossified in Men, in domestic animals, it is absent on the dry skeleton, and the orbit communicates largely with the temporal fossa. On the living it is made of a fibrous lamina that continues the one of the ventral wall and is attach on the orbital ligament or the caudal bony flange of the orbit (according to the species) and medially on the orbitotemporal crest (Crista orbitotemporalis) of the frontal bone.