Digastric muscle

Digastric Muscle

The anterior belly of the digastric muscle (shown in green).

The Digastric Muscle is a small muscle located in the neck, beneath the jaw. It is named for its two (di-) bellies (gastric), which are connected by an intermediate tendon. The muscle plays a crucial role in various actions including swallowing and speech.

Structure

The digastric muscle consists of two parts or 'bellies'. The anterior belly extends from the digastric fossa of the mandible, while the posterior belly extends from the mastoid notch of the temporal bone. These two bellies join at an intermediate tendon.

The posterior belly of the digastric muscle (shown in green).

Function

The digastric muscle assists in the opening of the mouth by lowering the mandible and hyoid bone if the skull is fixed, or it can raise the hyoid if other muscles are fixed.

Clinical significance

Understanding the anatomy of the digastric muscle is important in various surgical procedures of the neck, including face lifts and neck lifts.

See also

• List of muscles of the human body
• Neck muscle