Corpus: Mandibular arch

The mandibular arch is the first gill arch in embryonic development, from which large parts of the facial bones and chewing muscles develop.

The mandibular arch develops around the 4th to 5th week of embryonic development, in the ventrolateral head and neck area. Like all gill arches, it also contains a cartilage anlage, a muscle anlage, as well as an accompanying gill arch nerve and a gill arch artery. The cartilage of the mandibular arch is also known as Meckel's cartilage. It serves as a template for the later desmal ossification of the mandible.

The following structures, among others, develop from the anlage of the mandibular arch:

• Meckel cartilage
  • Malleus (hammer)
  • incus (anvil)
  • Mandible
  • Maxilla
  • Os palatinum
  • Sphenomandibular ligament
• Muscular system
  • Chewing muscles
  • Musculus digastricus, venter anterior
  • Mylohyoid muscle
  • Musculus tensor veli palatini
  • Tensor tympani muscle
• Nerves
  • Mandibular nerve (V₃)

The gill arch artery of the mandibular arch is completely regressed. However, it is said to contribute in part to the formation of the external carotid artery and the maxillary artery. The tympanic cavity and the auditory tube eventually develop from the neighbouring 1st pharyngeal pouch.