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Which embryological process forms the philtrum and the primary palate?
- A Fusion of the maxillary prominence with the lateral nasal prominence You picked ✕
- B Fusion of the palatal shelves You picked ✕
- C Fusion of the maxillary prominence with the medial nasal prominence You picked ✕
- D Fusion of the maxillary prominences only You picked ✕
- E Fusion of the medial nasal prominences You picked ✓
Correct!
Incorrect
The answer is E: Fusion of the medial nasal prominences
Explanation
Why E is correct
See The Pharyngeal Arches. Option E is correct because the medial nasal prominences fuse in the midline to form the intermaxillary segment, which gives the central upper lip (the philtrum, the groove between the nose and upper lip) and the primary palate. In the 4th to 6th week the face is built from several bulges of tissue around the primitive mouth: the frontonasal prominence above, the paired maxillary prominences at the sides and the paired mandibular prominences below. The frontonasal prominence develops nasal pits that divide it into medial and lateral nasal prominences. The medial nasal prominences are pushed towards each other and fuse, forming the intermaxillary segment. This segment also provides the upper four incisor teeth and the front third of the definitive palate, which is known as the primary palate. The maxillary prominences, which come from the first pharyngeal arch, then form the cheeks, the sides of the upper lip and the rest of the palate. Cleft lip arises when the medial nasal prominence fails to fuse with the maxillary prominence on one or both sides. Memory aid: medial means middle, so the medial nasal prominences make the middle of the upper lip.
- Process: medial nasal prominences fuse in the midline to form the intermaxillary segment.
- Derivatives: central upper lip (philtrum), primary palate and the upper four incisor teeth.
- Failure: cleft lip results if the medial nasal prominence does not fuse with the maxillary prominence.
Why the other options are incorrect
- A. Fusion of the maxillary prominence with the lateral nasal prominence: Fusion of the maxillary prominence with the lateral nasal prominence forms the nasolacrimal duct, so it does not give rise to the philtrum or primary palate. Your answer
- B. Fusion of the palatal shelves: Fusion of the palatal shelves forms the secondary palate rather than the primary palate, so it does not produce the philtrum or the front part of the palate. Your answer
- C. Fusion of the maxillary prominence with the medial nasal prominence: The maxillary prominence fuses with the medial nasal prominence to form the lateral upper lip, so this process does not form the philtrum or primary palate. Your answer
- D. Fusion of the maxillary prominences only: The maxillary prominences form the cheeks, the sides of the upper lip and the secondary palate. They join the intermaxillary segment but are not the origin of the central upper lip or primary palate. Your answer
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1
Where does the main thyroid primordium initially develop during embryogenesis?
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2
Which cranial nerve is primarily associated with the first pharyngeal arch during human embryological development?
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