DERIVATIVES OF

PHARYNGEAL ARCHES
DONE BY
R.SASIKUMAR
1 St YEAR PG
DEPT. OF .OMFS
EMBRYOLOGY (PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT)

• Embryogenesis is divided into three distinct phases during the 280

days of gestation (composed of ten 28-day menstrual cycles):* the
preimplantation period (the first 7 days), the embryonic period (the
next 7 weeks), and the fetal period (the next 7 months).
• During the late somite period (4th week post conception), the
mesoderm lateral plate of the ventral foregut region becomes
segmented to form a series of five distinct bilateral mesenchyme
swellings called the pharyngeal (branchial)arches.
Ventrally migrating neural crest cells interact with lateral
extensions of the pharyngeal endoderm, surround the six
aortic arch arteries, and initiate pharyngeal arch development.
The initial mesodermal core of each
arch is augmented by neural crest tissue that surrounds the
mesodermal core.
 INTRODUCTION
• Pharyngeal arches are also known as branchial arches.
• Pharyngeal arches are derived from the mesoderm.
• Pharyngeal arches,pharyngeal pouches,pharyngeal clefts together
form the pharyngeal apparatus.
• Pharyngeal arches are six in no. first arch,second arch,third
arch,fourth arch, fifth arch and sixth arch.
• Fifth arch disappears early in the embryonic stage.
Each of the five pairs of arches contains the following basic set of structures

1. A central cartilage rod that forms the skeleton of the arch

2. A muscular component
3. A vascular component (an aortic arch artery) that runs around the
pharynx from the ventrally located heart to the dorsal aorta
4. A nervous element consisting of sensory and special visceral motor fibers
of one or more cranial nerves supplying the mucosa and muscle arising from
that arch
First pharyngeal arch
The first (or mandibular) pharyngeal arch is
the precursor of both the maxillary and
mandibular jaws and bounds the lateral
aspects of the stomodeaum.

The cartilage skeleton of the first arch, known

as Meckel’s cartilage arises at the 41st to 45th
days post conception and provides a
subsequent development of the mandible.
Second pharyngeal arches
The cartilage of the second (or hyoid) arch (Reichert’s cartilage)
appears on the 45th to 48th days post conception. It is the basis of the
greater part (head, neck, and crura) of the third ear ossicle (the
stapes*) and contributes to the malleus and incus, the styloid process
of the temporal bone, the stylohyoid ligament, and the lesser horn and
cranial part of the body of the hyoid bone.
Third arch
• The cartilage of this small arch produces the greater horn (cornu) and
the caudal part of the body of the hyoid bone. The remainder of the
cartilage disappears.
• The mesoderm originating from cranial somitomere forms the
stylopharyngeus muscle, innervated by the ninth cranial (or
glossopharyngeal) nerve supplying the arch.
The mucosa of the posterior third of the tongue is derived from this
arch, accounting for its sensory innervation by the glossopharyngeal
nerve.
Fourth arch
The cartilage of the fourth pharyngeal arch probably forms the thyroid
cartilage. The fourth-arch artery of the left side forms the arch of the
aorta; that of the right side contributes to the right subclavian and
brachiocephalic arteries

Fifth arch
The fifth arch, a transitory structure, disappears almost as soon as it forms.
No permanent structural elements.
Sixth pharyngeal arch
• The cartilage of the sixth arch probably forms the cricoid and
arytenoid cartilage .
• Parts of the sixth-arch arteries develop into the pulmonary arteries;
the remaining parts on the right side disappear, and those on the left
side form the temporary ductus arteriosus of the fetus. This later
becomes the ligamentum arteriosum.
 DERIVATIVES OF PHARYNGEAL ARCH
NERVES OF PHARYNGEAL ARCHES
Pharyngeal arch Nerves

First arch Maxillary and Mandibular nerves

Chorda tympani nerve

Second arch Facial nerve

Third arch Glossopharyngeal nerve

Fourth arch Superior laryngeal branch of vagus

Sixth arch Recurrent laryngeal branch

of vagus
 MUSCLES OF PHARYNGEAL ARCHES
Pharyngea Muscles
l arch

First arch Muscles of Mastication (Temporalis,

Masseter, Medial and Lateral Pterygoid)
Anterior belly of digastric, Mylohyoid,
Tensor tympani & tensor veli palatini

Second arch Muscles of facial expression, posterior belly of digastric,

stylohyoid, stapedius

Third arch Stylopharyngeus

Fourth arch sixth Cricothyroid, levator palati, constrictor of pharynx and intrinsic
arch muscles of larynx
 SKELETAL ELEMENTS OF PHARYNGEAL
ARCHES
Pharynge Skeleton Ligaments
al arch
First arch Malleus, and Incus Anterior ligament of
(Meckes’s Premaxilla, maxilla ,zygomatic malleus
cartilage) bone, part of temporal bone, Sphenomandibular
mandible, ligament

Second arch Stapes, styloid process, Smaller Stylohyoid ligament

(Reichert’s cornu of hyoid bone, superior
cartilage) surface of body of the hyoid bone

Third arch Greater cornu and lower part of

body of hyoid bone
Fourth arch Laryngeal cartilages (thyroid,
cricoid, arytenoids, corniculate,
Sixth arch
cuneiform)
PHARYNGEAL CLEFTS
• There are four pharyngeal clefts present in an embryo of about five
weeks.
• Only one cleft contributes to the definitive structure of the embryo.
• Pharyngeal clefts are the invagination of surface ectoderm between
the pharyngeal arches.
1 ST CLEFT
• The dorsal part of the first cleft penetrates the underlying
mesenchyme and gives rise to external auditory meatus.
• Pinna is formed by a number of swellings which arise from the first
and second arches where they adjoin the first cleft.
• The ventral part of the cleft is obliterated.
2 nd -4th CLEFTS;
• Normally overgrown by 2nd pharyngeal arch
• The spaces between the overhanging 2nd arch 3rd arch 4th & 6th arch is
called as cervical sinus.
PHARYNGEAL POUCHES
• Four pair of pouches-
evaginations of endoderm,
lining between two arches.
First pharyngeal pouch
• First pharyngeal pouch- tubotympanic recess
• Distal part of tubotympanic recess – middle ear cavity and mastoid
antrum
• Proximal part – auditory tube.
Second pharyngeal pouch
• Endoderm proliferates to form solid buds, central core of these buds
break down to form TONSILLAR CRYPTS.
• Part of this pouch remains as intratonsillar crypt(crypta magna)
Third pharyngeal pouch
• Dorsal bulbar part – parathyroid or inferior parathyroid gland
• Ventral tubular part – thymus.
Fourth pharyngeal pouch
• Dorsal bulbar part – superior parathyroid gland
• Fifth pouch incorporated with fourth pouch
DERIVATIVES OF PHARYNGEAL POUCHES
POUCH DERIVATIVES

FIRST POUCH PHARYNGOTYMANIC TUBE

TYMPANIC (MIDDLE EAR) CAVITY

SECOND POUCH PALATINE TONSIL

INTRATONSILLAR CLEFT

THIRD POUCH INFERIOR PARTHYROID GLAND

THYMUS

FOURTH POUCH SUPERIOR PARATHYROID GLAND

ANAMOLIES OF DEVELOPMENT
• Deficient development of the pharyngeal arches results in syndrome that
are identified according to the arch involved.
• Severe first arch anamolies are
agnathia
synotia
microstomia
• Less severe anamolies are
treacher Collins syndrome.
pierre robin sequence.
SEVERE FIRST ARCH ANAMOLIES
TREACHER COLLINS SYNDROME(TCS)

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a genetic

disorder characterized by deformities of the
ears, eyes, cheekbones, and chin.
The degree to which a person is affected,
however, may vary from mild to severe.
Complications may include breathing problems,
cleft palate, and hearing loss.
PIERRE ROBIN SEQUENCE
• Pierre Robin sequence is a congenital
condition of facial abnormalities in humans.
• The three main features are micrognathia
(abnormally small jaw or mandible) and
glossoptosis resulting in airway obstruction
caused by backwards displacement of the
tongue base).
• A genetic cause to PRS was recently
identified. Pierre Robin sequence may be
caused by genetic anomalies at chromosomes
• Anomalies of the second and subsequent arches involve the hyoid
(laryngeal) apparatus and are very rare. Mineralization of the
stylohyoid ligament elongates the styloid process and may cause
craniocervical pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, and foreign-body
discomfort of the pharynx (Eagle syndrome).
ANAMOLIES OF PHARYNGEAL POUCH

Defective development of the pharyngeal

pouches results in defects of their
derivatives .
The most common anomalies are
pharyngeal fistulae and cysts and
persistent tracks of migrated glands derived
from the pouches.
Atresia of the auditory tube is rare.
Congenital absence of the thymus and
parathyroid glands results in metabolic
defects and increased susceptibility to
infection (DiGeorge syndrome)
• The second, third, and fourth pharyngeal grooves become obliterated
by the caudal overgrowth of the second pharyngeal arch (hyoid
operculum), which provides a smooth contour to the neck.
• At the end of the 5th week post conception,the third and fourth
pharyngeal arches are collectively sunk into aretrohyoid depression,
the cervical sinus.
• The failure of these pharyngeal grooves to be obliterated completely
results in a pharyngeal fistula leading from the pharynx to the outside
or in a pharyngeal (cervical) sinus or cyst, forming a closed sac
• . Most pharyngeal cysts and fistulae originate from the second
groove.
 •SUMMARY

 Pharyngeal arches – five in number, present in lateral wall and

floor of the primitive pharynx

 Pharyngeal clefts- four in number, present externally between the

arches, lined by ectoderm
 Pharyngeal pouches – four in number, present internally between
the two pharyngeal arches, lined by the endoderm

 Pharyngeal membranes – four in number and located between

adjacent arches

 Enumerate the Derivatives of second pharyngeal arch

• THANK YOU