Absent Posterior Belly of Digastric Muscle

Abstract

Objective: Report a unique case of absent posterior belly of digastric muscle, with a literature review and discussion of its clinical importance.

Methods: Present a case report and review the current literature including PUBMED search terms; "absent posterior digastric", "digastric muscle", "posterior belly".

Results: While there were multiple reports of accessory anterior and posterior bellies and absence of anterior belly, there is a paucity of literature on absence of posterior belly of digastric muscle.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an absent posterior belly of the digastric muscle. The posterior belly of the digastric muscle is an important landmark in neck dissection, and its absence makes knowledge of other anatomic landmarks critically important. Laryngoscope, 131:1501-1502, 2021.

Keywords: Absence; digastric muscle; neck dissection; posterior belly.