Midline cervical clefts are a rare
congenital anomaly resulting from incomplete fusion during embryogenesis of the first and second
branchial arch
Branchial arches, or gill arches, are a series of bony "loops" present in fish, which support the gills. As gills are the primitive condition of vertebrates, all vertebrate embryos develop pharyngeal arches, though the eventual fate of these ar ...
es in the ventral midline of the neck. The condition presents as a midline cutaneous defect of the anterior neck with a skin projection or sinus, or as a subcutaneous erythematous fibrous cord. Surgical excision is the preferred treatment.
See also
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Accessory tragus
An accessory auricle is considered a developmental anomaly resulting from the persistence of a structure which variably recapitulates the normal external ear.
Signs and symptoms
The general presentation is of a skin-covered nodule, papule, or no ...
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List of cutaneous conditions
Many skin conditions affect the human integumentary system—the organ system covering the entire surface of the body and composed of skin, hair, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this system is as a barrier agai ...
References
Cutaneous congenital anomalies
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