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Anterior belly of digastric

The anterior belly of the digastric (Latin: venter anterior musculi digastrici) is one of two bellies composing the digastric muscle. The digastric is one of the muscles of the neck, and its other belly is known as the posterior belly. As the digastric muscle is located above the hyoid bone, it is classified as the suprahyoid neck muscle. It also belongs to the anterior neck muscles. The anterior belly is smaller than the posterior, and it develops from the first pharyngeal arch.

Anterior belly of digastric
OriginDigastric fossa of mandible
InsertionHyoid bone via intermediate tendon
Action Elevates hyoid bone, depresses mandible
InnervationMylohyoid nerve of inferior alveolar nerve
Blood supply Facial artery

 

Origin

The anterior belly of the digastric muscle originates from the digastric fossa located on the inner surface of the mandible.

Muscular system, Neck muscles, Suprahyoid muscles, Stylohyoid, Stylohyoid muscle, Anterior neck muscles, Head and neck muscles, Origin, Insertion
Digastric muscle attachments by Anatomy.app

 

Insertion

From the origin site, the anterior belly of the digastric passes downward and backward. Fibers of this belly form the intermediate tendon that attaches to the hyoid bone.

Digastric, Digastric muscle, Anterior belly of digastric, Posterior belly of digastric, Suprahyoid muscles, Anterior neck muscles, Neck muscles, Anterior belly of digastric colored blue, Posterior belly of digastric colored green
Digastric muscle by Anatomy.app

 

Action

Upon contraction, the anterior belly of the digastric muscle elevates the hyoid bone or depresses the lower jaw.

 

Innervation

The anterior belly of the digastric is innervated by the mylohyoid nerve, a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. The latter nerve arises from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

 

Blood supply

The anterior belly of the digastric muscle receives arterial blood supply from the facial artery - a branch of the external carotid artery.