Head and neck anomalies related to the branchial apparatus.

An understanding of the branchial apparatus and its anomalies may lead to greater precision in the clinical diagnosis and management of these congenital head and neck lesions. Although branchial anomalies have been well described, controversial issues, such as the branchial origin of lateral cervical cysts and the differentiation between third and fourth branchial pouch sinuses, remain unresolved.