branchial arch

branchial arch

noun

Definition of BRANCHIAL ARCH

: one of a series of bony or cartilaginous arches that develop in the walls of the mouth cavity and pharynx of a vertebrate embryo, consist typically of a curved segmented bar or rod on each side meeting the contralateral bar or rod at the ventral end, and correspond to the gill arches of fishes and amphibians—called also pharyngeal arch, visceral arch