RT Journal Article
T1 Fetal Tendinous Connection Between the Tensor Tympani and Tensor Veli Palatini Muscles: A Single Digastric Muscle Acting for Morphogenesis of the Cranial Base
A1 Rodríguez Vázquez, José Francisco
A1 Sakiyama, Koji
A1 Abe, Hiroshi
A1 Amano, Osamu
A1 Murakami, Gen
AB Some researchers contend that in adults the tensor tympani muscle (TT) connects with the tensor veli palatini muscle (TVP) by an intermediate tendon, in disagreement with the other researchers. To resolve this controversy, we examined serial sections of 50 human embryos and fetuses at 6–17 weeks of development. At 6 weeks, in the first pharyngeal arch, a mesenchymal connection was found first to divide a single anlage into the TT and TVP. At and after 7 weeks, the TT was connected continuously with the TVP by a definite tendinous tissue mediolaterally crossing the pharyngotympanic tube. At 11 weeks another fascia was visible covering the cranial and lateral sides of the tube. This “gonial fascia” had two thickened borders: the superior one corresponded to a part of the connecting tendon between the TT and TVP; the inferior one was a fibrous band ending at the os goniale near the lateral end of the TVP. In association with the gonial fascia, the fetal TT and TVP seemed to provide a functional complex. The TT–TVP complex might first help elevate the palatal shelves in association with the developing tongue. Next, the tubal passage, maintained by contraction of the muscle complex, seems to facilitate the removal of loose mesenchymal tissues from the tympanic cavity. Third, the muscle complex most likely determined the final morphology of the pterygoid process. Consequently, despite the controversial morphologies in adults, the TT and TVP seemed to make a single digastric muscle acting for the morphogenesis of the cranial base. Anat Rec, 299:474–483, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PB Wiley
SN 1932-8486
YR 2016
FD 2016-01-27
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/110081
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/110081
LA eng
NO Rodríguez-Vázquez JF, Sakiyama K, Abe H, Amano O, Murakami G. Fetal Tendinous Connection Between the Tensor Tympani and Tensor Veli Palatini Muscles: A Single Digastric Muscle Acting for Morphogenesis of the Cranial Base. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2016 Apr;299(4):474-83. doi: 10.1002/ar.23310
DS Docta Complutense
RD 17 abr 2025