The Digastric Muscle: Its Anatomy And Functions Revisited

The Digastric Muscle: Its Anatomy And Functions Revisited

Submandibular region

Question 1. Write a short note on the digastric muscle.
Answer.

• This muscle lies above the hyoid bone in the submandibular region.
• It has two bellies – anterior and posterior.

Digastric Muscle Origin

Anterior belly: It is unipennate and arises from the digastric fossa of the mandible.

Posterior belly: It is bipennate and arises from the mastoid notch of the occipital bone.

Insertion The two bellies meet to form an intermediate tendon, which is anchored by a fibrous pulley to the hyoid bone.

Nerve supply

Posterior belly: By facial nerve (nerve of the second arch)

Anterior belly: By mandibular nerve through nerve to mylohyoid (nerve of 1st arch)

Action It elevates the floor of the mouth and hyoid bone during the second phase of deglutition.