Pharyngeal development and evolution


Anthony Graham

Professor of Developmental Biology

Schematic of the pharyngeal arches (PA) in side view and in section (B) (C) at later stages the second pharyngeal arch expands to cover the more posterior arches.
Schematic of the pharyngeal arches (PA) in side view and in section (B) (C) at later stages the second pharyngeal arch expands to cover the more posterior arches.

The pharynx is a complex region of the body that is involved in numerous critical functions. It has its developmental origin in a series of bulges found on the lateral surface of the head at early stages, the pharyngeal arches, and it is with the development of these structures that our lab is concerned. Our aim is to understand how the early development of the pharyngeal arches is organised and additionally how these become remodelled during development to yield the mature anatomical organisation. Comprehending the development of the pharynx is an important goal in itself, particularly as this is a much understudied region, but it is also significant as it will inform us of the aetiological basis of defects that affect this region of the body. Such defects include DiGeorge syndrome and the presence of branchial cleft and pouch anomalies. Finally, another pervasive influence of the organisation of the pharynx is its evolutionary history and many of the events directing the development of the pharynx only make sense when seen in the light of evolution.

Editorial Boards

Editor in Chief – Journal of Anatomy (2012 – present)

Member of the Editorial Boards –Zoological Letters (2016- present)

Elected fellow of the Anatomical Society 2015 (FAS)

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