Branchial cyst

What it means

A branchial cyst is a remnant of embryonic development resulting from a failure of obliteration of a branchial cleft and consists of a subcutaneous cystic mass. Cysts are located anterior or posterior to the ear or in the submandibular region.

Branchial cyst have to be distinguished from the preauricular cysts and sinuses, which are ectodermal remnants from an aberrant development of the auditory tubercles, tend to be bilateral, and are localized anterior to the tragus of the ear.

Rare diseases that can present with this5

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Branchial cleft cyst · Branchial cysts