Related Experiment Videos
An abnormal digastric muscle with three bellies
1Department of Anatomy, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Anatomical variation of the right digastric muscle, featuring three bellies, was discovered during a submental region dissection. This finding highlights the importance of understanding anatomical variations for accurate medical imaging interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Surgical Anatomy
Background:
- The digastric muscle, a key suprahyoid muscle, plays a crucial role in mandibular depression and hyoid elevation.
- Anatomical variations in the digastric muscle are uncommon but can impact surgical approaches and diagnostic imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and describe an unusual anatomical variation of the right digastric muscle.
- To emphasize the clinical significance of recognizing such variations in diagnostic imaging.
Main Methods:
- Gross anatomical dissection of the submental region.
- Detailed observation and documentation of the digastric muscle's morphology, including its bellies and tendinous connections.
Main Results:
- A right digastric muscle with three bellies was identified.
- An accessory anterior belly originated from the digastric fossa, with its tendon inserting onto the hyoid bone alongside the normal anterior belly.
- The posterior belly and normal anterior belly exhibited typical origin and course, joined by an intermediate tendon.
Conclusions:
- This three-bellied digastric muscle variation can mimic pathological conditions.
- Awareness of such muscular variations in the floor of the mouth is essential for accurate interpretation of CT and MR imaging of the skull base.