A study of variations of anterior belly of digastric muscle

Abstract

Aim : To study the anatomical variations of anterior belly of digastric muscle. Materials & Methods: In the present study, 30 human cadavers from the Department of Anatomy, Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences, Belagavi were examined for the variations of anterior belly of digastric muscle during routine dissections of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The variations found were neatly dissected and photographs taken wherever necessary. Result: Out of 30 cadavers dissected3 specimens presented with variations. Discussion: First variation found had a unilateral accessory belly of digastric muscle on right side. Second variation was unilateral accessory belly of digastric muscle on left side and the third variation was bilateral accessory slips of digastric muscles. The details of these variations will be dealt in the article. Conclusion: As the variations of anterior belly of digastric muscle are common, the radiologists and the surgeons have to watch out for these while dealing with Sub mandibular region.

Keywords

• sub-mental triangle
• mylohyoid region
• anterior triangle ofneck
• floor ofmouth