Which statement about Reichert's cartilage is correct?

• A. It is derived from the first pharyngeal arch.
• B. It forms the malleus.
• C. It is derived from the second pharyngeal arch and forms the stapes.
• D. It forms the greater horn of the hyoid bone.

Answer: (C)

Reichert's cartilage is the cartilage of the second pharyngeal (hyoid) arch, and its derivatives include the stapes in the middle ear, along with other related structures like the styloid process and the upper part of the hyoid bone. The essential point here is that the stapes comes from Reichert's cartilage, linking it directly to the second arch. In contrast, the malleus and incus come from Meckel's cartilage of the first arch, and the greater horn and lower part of the hyoid come from the third arch. So the statement describing Reichert's cartilage as derived from the second pharyngeal arch and forming the stapes is the correct one.