- Meckel’s cartilage is a cartilaginous bar that arises from the mandibular process of the first pharyngeal arch.
- During development, Meckel’s cartilage disappears except for two small portions at its dorsal end that develop into the malleus and incus.
- A similar structure is Reichert’s Cartilage, which arises from the second pharyngeal arch and gives rise to the stapes.
- There have historically been two theories in the literature as to how the ossicles develop from Meckel’s cartilage and Reichert’s cartilage.
- The classical interpretation is that Meckel’s cartilage gives rise to the malleus and incus, while Reichert’s cartilage gives rise to the stapes, as described above.
- The dual-arch interpretation is that Meckel’s cartilage gives rise to the epitympanic ossicles (such as the head of the malleus and the body of the incus), while Reichert’s cartilage gives rise to the mesotympanic ossicles (such as the manubrium of the malleus and the long and lenticular process of the incus).
- Studies suggest that the classical interpretation is the more likely theory.
Last updated October 27, 2022
