こめかみ

こめかみ refers to the flat area on each side of the head between the forehead and the ear. Usually written in hiragana; the kanji 米噛(こめかみ) exists but is rarely used.

ETYMOLOGY:
The name likely comes from the motion of this area when chewing rice (米(こめ)を噛(か)む).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

• こめかみが痛(いた)い: to have pain in one's temples
• こめかみを押(お)さえる: to press one's temples
• こめかみを揉(も)む: to rub one's temples
• こめかみがズキズキする: to have a throbbing pain in one's temples

HEADACHE CONTEXT:
Often associated with tension headaches and migraines (偏頭痛(へんずつう)). People commonly press or massage this area to relieve pain.

RELATED BODY PARTS:

• 額(ひたい): forehead
• 頬(ほほ): cheek
• 耳(みみ): ear