Unreported anomalous musculature of first pharyngeal arch

Abstract

Musculature of first pharyngeal arch play an important role in mastication, speech and swallowing thus a comprehensive knowledge of anatomical variations will be important for surgeons and Traumatologists which can increase the success of diagnostic evaluation and surgical approaches to the region. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of anomalous musculature of first pharyngeal arch in the human cadavers. This study was carried out on 107 formalin embalmed human cadavers (male 62 and 45 female), and dissections were performed in accordance with the institutional ethical standards and Indian anatomy act. Out of 107 cadavers, in three cadavers the following rare unreported muscular variations of first pharyngeal arch were encountered in the present study: 1. Rare and unusual unilateral quadrilateral anomalous muscle in the submandibular region superficial to the submandibular gland with an accessory head of depressor labii inferioris muscle; 2. Anomalous unilateral facial muscle extending from the from the right lateral angle of mouth to coronoid process of mandible; and 3. An anomalous accessory head of temporalis muscle extending from the temporalis tendon to the posterior part of buccinator muscle.