Meckel's cartilage

Meckel's cartilage is a piece of cartilage from which the mandibles (lower jaws) of vertebrates evolved. It is named after the German anatomist Johann Friedrich Meckel, who described it in the early 19th century.

Etymology

The term "Meckel's cartilage" is derived from the name of Johann Friedrich Meckel, a German anatomist who first described this structure. The word "cartilage" comes from the Latin cartilago, meaning "hardened tissue".

Structure

Meckel's cartilage is a rod of cartilage that runs from the ear to the chin in the developing embryo. It is a temporary structure that is not present in the adult organism, but it plays a crucial role in the development of the mandible and other structures in the lower part of the face.

Development

During embryonic development, Meckel's cartilage forms as a part of the first pharyngeal arch, also known as the mandibular arch. This arch gives rise to several important structures in the face and neck, including the mandible, the malleus and incus (two of the bones in the middle ear), and several muscles and nerves.

Meckel's cartilage begins to develop around the fourth week of embryonic development. It starts as a condensation of mesenchyme (embryonic connective tissue) in the mandibular arch. This mesenchyme differentiates into cartilage cells, which then proliferate and secrete the extracellular matrix that forms the cartilage.

As development progresses, the part of Meckel's cartilage in the mandibular arch ossifies (turns into bone) to form the mandible. The rest of the cartilage degenerates and disappears, except for the part that becomes the malleus and incus.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the development or regression of Meckel's cartilage can lead to various congenital disorders. For example, if the cartilage fails to degenerate properly, it can result in a Meckel's diverticulum, a small pouch in the small intestine that can cause symptoms like abdominal pain and bleeding.

See also

• Pharyngeal arch
• Mandible
• Malleus
• Incus
• Meckel's diverticulum

References

Meckel's cartilage Resources
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