Derivatives of the third pharyngeal arch include which structures?

• A Malleus, incus, anterior belly of digastric
• B Superior parathyroid, parafollicular cells of thyroid
• C Inferior parathyroid and thymus (from third pouch); stylopharyngeus from the arch ✓
• D Stapes, styloid process, lesser horn of hyoid

Explanation

The third pharyngeal pouch gives rise to the inferior parathyroid glands and thymus. The corresponding third arch cartilage forms the greater horn and lower part of the hyoid body, and its muscle contribution is stylopharyngeus, innervated by CN IX (glossopharyngeal nerve from the third arch). The fourth pouch gives the superior parathyroids and parafollicular C cells come from neural crest. Stapes and styloid are second-arch derivatives.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.