Anatomical and histological re-examination of Appendices colli in the goat

Appendices colli (App. colli) were investigated by anatomical and histological methods in the goat. App. colli were composed of elastic cartilage located at central and the skin covering the cartilage, which included arterioles along the cartilage and nerve bundles. Three types of muscles connected to App. colli; superficial muscle bundles, a branch of the omohyoideus muscle, and a muscle arising from the pharyngeal raphe (appendico-pharyngeal muscle). The latter two muscles were connected to the root of the App. colli where the muscle fibers transformed into the perichondrium of the elastic cartilage. The appendico-pharyngeal muscle was innervated by branches from the glossopharyngeal nerve which were composed of myelinated nerve fibers. The subcutaneous area of the App. colli was supplied by cutaneous rami of the vagus and the second cervical nerves. The innervation and the musculature confirmed that the cartilage of the App. colli were derived from third and fourth branchial arches.