This is a question regarding the external opening of branchial cyst

Question:

In branchial cyst, the external opening is:

a. Lateral pharyngeal wall
b. Behind the tonsil
c. Lower 2/3rd of neck
d. Upper 1/3rd of neck

Ans: D upper 1/3rd of neck

Explaination :

• Branchial cysts aka Branchial cleft cysts are congenital epithelial cysts, which arise from the failure of obliteration (destruction) of second branchial cleft. Branchial celft is ectodermal in origin
• It is seen in the lateral part of the neck
•  Rarely,  the cysts can develop from the first, third, or fourth clefts,
• Wall of the cyst is composed of either squamous or columnar cells and may feature lymphocytic predominance
• Second branchial cleft cysts account for a majority of branchial cleft cysts and can be found along the anterior border of the Sternocleidomastoid muscle.
• Usually they are asymptomatic.

Ending thoughts on external opening of branchial cysts

Branchial cyst is a vestigial remnant of 2nd branchial cleft. Squamous epithelium lines it. It appears in young adults and protrudes from beneath the anterior border of the upper 1/3rd of the sternocleidomastoid muscle as a fluctuant swelling that may transilluminate.