Unilateral asymmetrical anterior bellies of the digastric muscle in coexistence with accessory muscle bundles in the submental triangle: A rare case report

K Natsis; M Piagkou; P Vrochidis; E Papadopoulou; N Lazaridis

doi:10.1016/j.morpho.2017.10.001

Unilateral asymmetrical anterior bellies of the digastric muscle in coexistence with accessory muscle bundles in the submental triangle: A rare case report

Morphologie. 2018 Jun;102(337):83-86. doi: 10.1016/j.morpho.2017.10.001. Epub 2018 Feb 26.

Authors

K Natsis¹, M Piagkou², P Vrochidis¹, E Papadopoulou¹, N Lazaridis¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anatomy and Surgical Anatomy, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 300, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
² Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, 11527 Goudi, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: mapian@med.uoa.gr.

PMID: 29496384
DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2017.10.001

Abstract

A three-headed anterior belly of the digastric muscle (ABDM) on the right side of a 54-year old Greek male cadaver coexisted with two accessory muscle bundles (AMB) in the submental region. The left ABDM was typical. Typical ABDM was attached to the digastric fossa, while the accessory right anterior bellies to the lower border of the mandible. A muscle bundle arising from the attachment of the left ABDM to the hyoid bone was also observed fusing with the AMB of the ipsilateral side. It is of extreme importance to be aware of the submental region anatomical variations during surgery, imaging interpretation or differential diagnosis of neck masses.

Keywords: Accessory digastric muscle; Anterior belly; Hyoid bone; Neck muscles; Submental triangle; Trigastric; Variation.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Anatomic Variation*
Cadaver
Humans
Hyoid Bone / anatomy & histology
Male
Mandible / anatomy & histology
Middle Aged
Neck Muscles / abnormalities*