A combined approach of teaching head development using embryology and comparative anatomy

Melinda Danowitz ； Hong Zheng ； Adriana Guigova ； Nikos Solounias

《Edorium Journal of Anatomy and Embryology》 3期 (2016/01) Pp. 17-27

https://doi.org/10.5348/A04-2016-11-RA-3

摘要

Many aspects of human head embryology reflect its evolutionary development. The pharyngeal arches, a major component of head development, originally functioned in filter feeding and vascular exchange, which is why each arch has associated vasculature and muscles. The primitive tongue had few-associated muscles and was responsible for simple movements; the human tongue evolved post-otic somites that migrate to the tongue and develop the majority of the tongue musculature. These somites originate outside the tongue, and the motor innervation therefore differs from the general and special sensory innervation. In the primitive condition, the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid belonged to a single muscle group that were involved in gill movements; they separate into two muscles with the reduction of certain skeletal elements, but retain the same innervation. Examining the evolutionary changes of many structures allows for a greater understanding of the human embryology, and removes the need for memorization of seemingly complex processes. A link to comparative evolutionary anatomy provides context to the purpose and morphology of primitive structures, and clarifies several issues in human head development.

關鍵字

Anatomy education ； Embryology ； Head and neck ； Pharyngeal arches