Which pharyngeal arch gives rise to the muscles of mastication and the tensor tympani muscle?

• A Second pharyngeal arch (hyoid arch) — nerve: facial (VII)
• B Third pharyngeal arch — nerve: glossopharyngeal (IX)
• C First pharyngeal arch (mandibular arch) — nerve: trigeminal V3 ✓
• D Fourth pharyngeal arch — nerve: vagus (X)

Explanation

The first pharyngeal arch (mandibular arch) contributes to muscles supplied by CN V3 (mandibular division of trigeminal): muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoid), tensor tympani, tensor veli palatini, mylohyoid, and anterior belly of digastric. The second arch (Reichert's cartilage) gives muscles of facial expression (CN VII), stapedius, stylohyoid, and posterior belly of digastric. Third arch muscles (stylopharyngeus) are innervated by CN IX. Fourth arch muscles (pharyngeal constrictors, cricothyroid) are innervated by CN X.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.