THE DIGASTRIC MUSCLE IN HEAD AND NECK ANATOMY: A CADAVERIC STUDY WITH EMPHASIS ON VARIATIONS AND SURGICAL LANDMARKS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/5n290b16Keywords:
Digastric muscle, Anatomical variations, Surgical landmarks, Head and neck anatomy, Cadaveric studyAbstract
Since it has three parts, the digastric muscle is involved in neck movement and regularly marks a significant area for clinicians and surgeons. Because the facial artery and its branches are close to the parotid and submandibular glands, lymph nodes and major neck arteries, a proper grasp of its structure is necessary. The study analyzed the heads and necks of 40 bodies (25 from males and 15 from females) to understand how the digastric muscle varies in size and connectivity. We traced the anterior belly along the digastric fossa to the intermediate tendon and from the tendon we traced the posterior belly to the mastoid notch. To be certain of anatomical correctness, the jaw was closed while making the measurements. The anterior and posterior bellies revealed a modest association with overall neck length. Large differences in sex were found, as males featured longer anterior bellies and intermediate tendons, while females lacked both. By contrast, there was minimal change in the consumptions of the posterior belly between males and females. The presence of anatomical variability was demonstrated by two cases that had bilateral accessory anterior bellies. Recognizing all these variations limits the probability of these masses on imaging being misinterpreted as diseases in the region below the chin or jaw. As a result, doctors are now more likely to use the digastric muscle during reconstructive flaps for treatments of lip asymmetry and oral cancer defects. Accessory muscle slips present during surgery can make the procedure easier because the surgeon has extra tissue. By using this research, doctors can more accurately examine each muscle and emphasize the clinical and surgical value of the digastric muscle’s location. Learning about these features will help surgeons and radiologists treat and diagnose illnesses of the head and neck correctly.
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