Corpus: Digastric muscle

The digastric muscle is a skeletal muscle characterized by two distinct muscle bellies connected by an intermediate tendon. It is part of the suprahyoid musculature, which plays a crucial role in movements of the hyoid bone and lower jaw.

The digastric muscle consists of an anterior and a posterior muscle belly.

The smaller anterior belly of the digastric muscle originates from the digastric fossa of the mandible near the symphysis, extending posteriorly and superiorly from this point. The larger posterior belly originates from the mastoid notch of the temporal bone and extends anteriorly and inferiorly.

Both muscle bellies converge at a common intermediate tendon, which is perforated by the stylohyoid muscle. This tendon is secured to the hyoid bone by a ring-shaped ligament.

The anterior belly of the digastric muscle is innervated by the mylohyoid nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve (V3), which is the third division of the trigeminal nerve. The posterior belly is innervated by the digastric branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII).

The digastric muscle plays a vital role in the swallowing process by elevating and stabilizing the hyoid bone. Additionally, it assists in opening the jaw.