A thin fold of ectoderm and endoderm that separates the pharyngeal pouches from the pharyngeal clefts in a developing embryo. [ http://musom.marshall.edu/anatomy/grosshom/z_devbranc.html ]
Synonyms: branchial membrane pharyngeal membrane branchial arch membrane
Term information
- NCIT:C34251
- UMLS:C1519040 (ncithesaurus:Pharyngeal_Membrane)
- FMA:295758
- EMAPA:32749
pheno_slim
each membrane is initially composed of an inner layer formed by the endodermal lining of a branchial pouch and an outer layer formed by the ectodermal lining of the branchial groove; later, these two layers become separated by a thin layer of mesoderm; only the first branchial membrane contributes to the formation of an adult structure, i.e. the tympanic membrane (aka eardrum); the second, third, and fourth membranes are obliterated[MP]
In all vertebrates, the endodermal epithelium lining each pouch contacts the surface ectoderm of the clefts to form a series of bilayered branchial membranes, that break down in fish to form the gill openings.[well established][VHOG]