branchiomeric muscle
Quick Summary
Branchiomeric muscles are a group of muscles in vertebrates that develop from the mesoderm of the branchial arches, which are embryonic structures that give rise to parts of the head and neck. In jawless fishes, these muscles primarily function to compress the gill pouches and aid in drawing water through the pharynx to the gills. In tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates), these muscles are modified and contribute to various structures, including muscles of the neck, head, and even facial expression in mammals. For example, the trapezius muscle in tetrapods originates from the levator muscles of the gill arches.123
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