Pharyngeal Pouch (Pharyngeal Pouch, Branchial Pouch, Visceral Pouch)

The Pharyngeal Pouch (Pharyngeal Pouch, Branchial Pouch, Visceral Pouch) is a paired pocket, divided into separate segments, located on both sides of the anterior end of the dorsal chord of the embryo at an early stage of its development.

Important structures of the body subsequently develop from the pharyngeal pouches:

  1. Tympanic cavity
  2. Parathyroid glands
  3. Thymus
  4. Possibly the thyroid gland

Thus, the pharyngeal pouches play an important role in embryonic development, giving rise to a number of vital organs and structures. Their formation occurs in the early stages of embryo development and is a mandatory stage for the normal formation of the body.



The pharyngeal pouch, also known as the pharyngeal pouch, ramus pouch or internal pouch, are paired structures located on either side of the anterior end of the spinal cord of the embryo during early development. These pockets are important for the formation of various organs and tissues in the head and neck.

During the process of embryonic development, several pharyngeal-type pouches are formed in humans. Typically there are four pairs of pockets, numbered from the first to the fourth pocket. Each pharyngeal-type pouch develops into specific organs and tissues that play an important role in the body.

The first pharyngeal-type pocket differentiates into the tympanic cavity, which subsequently becomes part of the ear. It forms the inner ear, including the cochlea and semicircular canals, which allows us to hear and navigate.

The second pharyngeal-type pouch gives rise to the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands are endocrine glands located in the neck. They play an important role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the body. Dysfunction of the parathyroid glands can lead to various diseases such as hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism.

The third pharyngeal-type pouch develops into the thymus, a gland that plays a key role in the development and functioning of the immune system. The thymus helps the formation and maturation of T lymphocytes, which play an important role in fighting infections and regulating the immune response.

The fourth pharyngeal-type pouch, although less developed, may be associated with the formation of some thyroid structures. The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the anterior neck region and plays an important role in regulating metabolism and endocrine functions in the body.

Pharyngeal-type pouches are examples of embryonic retention, that is, the preservation of embryonic structures that the adult organism can use for its functioning. These pouches and their derivative organs and tissues are important components of the body, performing a variety of functions related to hearing, the immune system, and endocrine regulation.

In conclusion, the pharyngeal pouches are paired structures divided into individual segments that play an important role in the development of various organs and tissues in the head and neck of the embryo. They differentiate into organs such as the tympanum, parathyroid glands, thymus, and possibly the thyroid gland. Understanding the development and function of the pharyngeal pouches is of great importance to medical science and may help explain various developmental abnormalities and diseases associated with these organs and tissues.



The pharyngeal pouch (or pharynx pouch, phaeneal pouch) is a paired pouch that is found in the human embryo at an early stage of development. It is divided into small segments. It is located on the side of the embryo's front back.

It develops further into many important organs and organ systems, including the tympanic cavity, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands and thymus. In addition, it may possibly provide an additional source of tissue for the development of the mouth and throat, which has been found in many different animal species.

The pharyngeal pouch phenomenon also appears in other organisms. For example, in mollusks a large pocket is formed, which in the future participates in the formation of the retina of the eye. Research shows that the appearance of a pharyngeal pouch is observed in all chordates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Similar phenomena are observed in some arthropods. In humans, the pharyngeal pouch was discovered and studied at the beginning of the 19th century by the French anatomist Gabriel Bist.