Symmetrical anatomical variation of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle

Abstract

The digastric muscle is an important surgical landmark. Several anatomical varia- tions of the digastric muscle are reported in literature and the presence of accessory anterior bellies of the muscle are not uncommon (1,2). We reported a symmetrical variation of the digastric muscle that was found during a dissection of the suprahy- oid region. The dissection showed digastric muscles with an accessory anterior belly, which originated from the anterior belly of muscles in proximity and anterior to the intermediate tendon. The accessory bellies of both sides were fused together on the midline and were attached with a unique tendon to the inner surface of the mental symphysis, filling the submental triangle completely. This unreported anatomical var- iation could be considered an additional contribute in the description of the varia- tions of the digastric muscle, with several implications in head and neck pathology, diagnosis and surgery.