[Role and significance of the branchial system in cervico-facial morphogenesis]

The so-called "branchial" embryonic organization is in fact that of the part of the embryo subjacent to the anterior, encephalic portion of neural tube. It presents, in addition to its typical aspects, historically of importance, other more pertinent aspects related to its segmental character, its mode of development and its morphologic limits. Synthesis of all data is now possible due to recent precision of the origin of branchial muscles and the participation of ectomesochyme in its development. Findings indicate the predominant place and deep significant of this organization in overall embryonic development, for which it represents a determinant phase in itself, independent of evolutionary potential that can be possibly attributed to its vascular components.