Meckel's cartilage: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 10:59, 15 February 2025

A cartilaginous structure in the embryonic development of the lower jaw

Meckel's Cartilage[edit]

Diagram of the cartilaginous skull of a human embryo, showing Meckel's cartilage.

Meckel's cartilage is a cartilaginous structure found in the embryonic development of the lower jaw, or mandible, in vertebrates. It is named after the German anatomist Johann Friedrich Meckel, who first described it.

Development[edit]

Meckel's cartilage forms from the first pharyngeal arch during the early stages of embryogenesis. It serves as a template for the development of the mandible. As the embryo matures, the cartilage is largely replaced by bone through the process of endochondral ossification. However, some portions of Meckel's cartilage persist and contribute to the formation of other structures.

Function[edit]

In the embryo, Meckel's cartilage provides structural support for the developing lower jaw. It also plays a role in the formation of the middle ear bones, specifically the malleus and incus. These bones are derived from the posterior end of Meckel's cartilage.

Remnants in Adults[edit]

In adult humans, remnants of Meckel's cartilage can be found in the sphenomandibular ligament, which is a band of fibrous tissue that connects the spine of the sphenoid bone to the lingula of the mandible. This ligament is a vestigial structure that is a remnant of the original cartilage.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Abnormal development of Meckel's cartilage can lead to congenital malformations of the jaw and ear. Conditions such as Treacher Collins syndrome and Pierre Robin sequence are associated with defects in the structures derived from the first pharyngeal arch, including Meckel's cartilage.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''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.
+{{Short description|A cartilaginous structure in the embryonic development of the lower jaw}}
+{{Anatomy}}
-==Etymology==
+==Meckel's Cartilage==
-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".
+[[File:Gray1011.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the cartilaginous skull of a human embryo, showing Meckel's cartilage.]]
+'''Meckel's cartilage''' is a cartilaginous structure found in the embryonic development of the lower jaw, or mandible, in vertebrates. It is named after the German anatomist [[Johann Friedrich Meckel]], who first described it.
-==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 forms from the first [[pharyngeal arch]] during the early stages of embryogenesis. It serves as a template for the development of the mandible. As the embryo matures, the cartilage is largely replaced by bone through the process of [[endochondral ossification]]. However, some portions of Meckel's cartilage persist and contribute to the formation of other structures.
-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.
+==Function==
+In the embryo, Meckel's cartilage provides structural support for the developing lower jaw. It also plays a role in the formation of the [[middle ear]] bones, specifically the [[malleus]] and [[incus]]. These bones are derived from the posterior end of Meckel's 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.
+==Remnants in Adults==
+In adult humans, remnants of Meckel's cartilage can be found in the [[sphenomandibular ligament]], which is a band of fibrous tissue that connects the spine of the [[sphenoid bone]] to the lingula of the mandible. This ligament is a vestigial structure that is a remnant of the original cartilage.
-==Clinical significance==
+==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.
+Abnormal development of Meckel's cartilage can lead to congenital malformations of the jaw and ear. Conditions such as [[Treacher Collins syndrome]] and [[Pierre Robin sequence]] are associated with defects in the structures derived from the first pharyngeal arch, including Meckel's cartilage.
-==See also==
+==Related pages==
-* [[Pharyngeal arch]]
 * [[Mandible]]
-* [[Malleus]]
+* [[Pharyngeal arches]]
-* [[Incus]]
+* [[Endochondral ossification]]
-* [[Meckel's diverticulum]]
+* [[Middle ear]]
-==References==
-<references />
-{{stub}}
 [[Category:Embryology]]
-[[Category:Anatomy]]
 [[Category:Cartilage]]
+[[Category:Human anatomy]]