Which prominence of the first pharyngeal arch does not contain cartilage?

Which prominence of the first pharyngeal arch does not contain cartilage?

• A. Maxillary prominence.
• B. Mandibular prominence.
• C. Both prominences contain cartilage.
• D. Neither prominence contains cartilage.

Answer: (A)

The first pharyngeal arch splits into two prominences, and cartilage is present only in the mandibular part. The cartilage in this arch, Meckel’s cartilage, sits inside the mandibular prominence and provides a cartilaginous scaffold that contributes to the development of the ossicles of the middle ear and interacts with the jaw structures. The maxillary prominence, on the other hand, forms the upper jaw bones and surrounding facial bones, but it does not contain a cartilaginous rod. So the prominence that does not contain cartilage is the maxillary prominence.

The first pharyngeal arch splits into two prominences, and cartilage is present only in the mandibular part. The cartilage in this arch, Meckel’s cartilage, sits inside the mandibular prominence and provides a cartilaginous scaffold that contributes to the development of the ossicles of the middle ear and interacts with the jaw structures. The maxillary prominence, on the other hand, forms the upper jaw bones and surrounding facial bones, but it does not contain a cartilaginous rod. So the prominence that does not contain cartilage is the maxillary prominence.