Aortic arch derivatives : Mnemonic

The aortic arches or pharyngeal arch arteries are formed sequentially with the pharyngeal arches.

Aortic archDerivativesMnemonic
1stMaxillary artery (part)1st arch is maximal
2ndStapedial artery
Hyoid artery
Second = Stapedial
3rdCommon carotid artery
Proximal part of internal carotid artery
C = 3rd letter of alphabet
4thLeft: Aortic arch
Right: Subclavian artery (proximal part)
4th arch = 4 limbs (systemic)
Four rhymes with Aor-ta
5thNoneFifth arch = Fails
6thPulmonary arteries (proximal part)
Left only: Ductus arteriosus (ligamentum arteriosum)
6 looks like lungs
Pulmonary & Pulmonary-to-systemic shunt
7thinterSegmental artery = Subclavian arterySeven = Segmental = Subclavian
aortic arch derivatives
Henry Vandyke Carter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Also remember the mnemonic: MSCARD

  1. 1st aortic arch: Maxillary artery
  2. 2nd aortic arch: Stapedial artery
  3. 3rd aortic arch: Carotid arteries (common and internal)
  4. 4th aortic arch:
    • Arch of aorta
    • Right subclavian artery
  5. 5th aortic arch: Degenerates


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