DAA Exam 2 Practice

Occipital (post-otic) myotomes will become which adult structures?

Extrinsic muscles of the eye Muscles of mastication Muscles of the tongue Muscles of facial expression

Correct Answer:

Muscles of the tongue

Explanation:

Occipital somites are the embryologic source of tongue musculature. The myotomal cells from these somites migrate into the developing tongue and differentiate into all its muscles—both intrinsic and the extrinsic muscles—forming the tongue’s motor apparatus, which is why the tongue muscles are said to originate from the occipital region. They are innervated by the hypoglossal nerve. By contrast, other muscle groups arise from different embryologic sources: extrinsic eye muscles come from preotic mesoderm, muscles of mastication from the first pharyngeal arch, and muscles of facial expression from the second pharyngeal arch.

Access more questions from this quiz

Continue to DAA Exam 2 Practice for more practice questions and the full quiz experience.

Access More Questions