Aortic arches

	WikiDoc Resources for Aortic arches
Articles
Most recent articles on Aortic arches Most cited articles on Aortic arches Review articles on Aortic arches Articles on Aortic arches in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Aortic arches Images of Aortic arches Photos of Aortic arches Podcasts & MP3s on Aortic arches Videos on Aortic arches
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Aortic arches Bandolier on Aortic arches TRIP on Aortic arches
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Aortic arches at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Aortic arches Clinical Trials on Aortic arches at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Aortic arches NICE Guidance on Aortic arches NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Aortic arches CDC on Aortic arches
Books
Books on Aortic arches
News
Aortic arches in the news Be alerted to news on Aortic arches News trends on Aortic arches
Commentary
Blogs on Aortic arches
Definitions
Definitions of Aortic arches
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Aortic arches Discussion groups on Aortic arches Patient Handouts on Aortic arches Directions to Hospitals Treating Aortic arches Risk calculators and risk factors for Aortic arches
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Aortic arches Causes & Risk Factors for Aortic arches Diagnostic studies for Aortic arches Treatment of Aortic arches
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Aortic arches
International
Aortic arches en Espanol Aortic arches en Francais
Business
Aortic arches in the Marketplace Patents on Aortic arches
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Aortic arches

Template:Infobox Embryology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

This article focuses upon the multiple aortic arches present in the embryo. For the single structure present in the adult, see Aortic arch

Overview

The aortic arches are a series of six paired embryological vascular structures which give rise to several major arteries. They are ventral to the dorsal aorta.

Specific arches

Arches 1 and 2

The first and second arches disappear early, but the dorsal end of the second gives origin to the stapedial artery, a vessel which atrophies in humans but persists in some mammals. It passes through the ring of the stapes and divides into supraorbital, infraorbital, and mandibular branches which follow the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve. The infraorbital and mandibular arise from a common stem, the terminal part of which anastomoses with the external carotid.

On the obliteration of the stapedial artery this anastomosis enlarges and forms the internal maxillary artery, and the branches of the stapedial artery are now branches of this vessel.

The common stem of the infraorbital and mandibular branches passes between the two roots of the auriculotemporal nerve and becomes the middle meningeal artery; the original supraorbital branch of the stapedial is represented by the orbital twigs of the middle meningeal.

Arch 3

The third aortic arch constitutes the commencement of the internal carotid artery, and is therefore named the carotid arch.

Arch 4

The fourth right arch forms the right subclavian as far as the origin of its internal mammary branch; while the fourth left arch constitutes the arch of the aorta between the origin of the left carotid artery and the termination of the ductus arteriosus.

Arch 5

The fifth arch disappears on both sides.

Arch 6

The sixth right arch disappears; the sixth left arch gives off the pulmonary arteries and forms the ductus arteriosus; this duct remains pervious during the whole of fetal life, but is obliterated a few days after birth.

His showed that in the early embryo the right and left arches each gives a branch to the lungs, but that later both pulmonary arteries take origin from the left arch.

Additional images

Diagram showing the origins of the main branches of the carotid arteries.