Digastric Muscle

Description

Three regions of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. The gnathion and hyoid bone are bony landmarks and can be easily palpated on the skin surface

Name

• Digastric
• Digastricus
• Musculus digastricus
• Musculus biventer mandibulae

General

• Paired muscle in the neck consisting of an anterior and posterior belly
• Connected by an intermediate tendon
• Primary function include depressing the mandible, elevating hyoid bone

Origin

• Anterior belly: digastric fossa of mandible
• Posterior belly: mastoid notch of temporal bone

Insertion

• Body of hyoid bone (via intermediate tendon and its fibrous sling)

Action

• Depresses mandible
• Elevates hyoid bone during chewing, swallowing

Innervation

• Anterior belly: mylohyoid nerve (of inferior alveolar nerve) (CN V3)
• Posterior belly: digastric branch of facial nerve (CN VII)

Vascular Supply

• Anterior belly: facial artery
• Posterior belly: occipital artery

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Clinical Significance

• Needs to be updated

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See Also

• Neck Pain Main
• Neck Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Neck

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