Branchial anomaly Branchial cyst 2009-02-11T05:18:08Z SNOMEDCT_US:42362005 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. HP:0009796 SNOMEDCT_US:59857007 Branchial cysts Branchial cleft cyst UMLS:C0006131 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.