Pharyngeal arches contribute to the development of specific head and neck structures. The cartilage of the 3rd pharyngeal arch forms which adult structure?

• A Meckel's cartilage (malleus and incus)
• B Styloid process and stylohyoid ligament
• C Greater horn and lower body of hyoid bone ✓
• D Thyroid cartilage of larynx

Explanation

Pharyngeal arch cartilages: 1st arch (Meckel's cartilage) → malleus, incus, anterior malleolar ligament, sphenomandibular ligament; 2nd arch (Reichert's cartilage) → stapes, styloid process, stylohyoid ligament, lesser horn and upper body of hyoid; 3rd arch → greater horn and lower body of hyoid; 4th-6th arch → laryngeal cartilages (thyroid from 4th, arytenoids/cricoid from 6th). The 3rd arch cartilage forming the greater hyoid horn is a tested embryology fact.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.