Question

Which muscle is derived from the third pharyngeal arch?

• A. Tensor tympani
• B. Stylopharyngeus
• C. Cricothyroid
• D. None

Hint:

Match the arch to its nerve - the third arch follows the glossopharyngeal nerve.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: A reliable shortcut links every pharyngeal arch muscle to the cranial nerve that follows it.

Step 2: The glossopharyngeal nerve is the nerve of the third arch. Because the stylopharyngeus is the muscle supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve, it must be the third arch muscle.

Step 3: By contrast, tensor tympani belongs to arch one (trigeminal mandibular supply), and cricothyroid belongs to arch four (vagus, external laryngeal nerve), so both are excluded.

Step 4: The single third arch derivative is therefore confirmed.

\[\boxed{\text{Stylopharyngeus}}\]