Digastric muscle

General information

The digastric muscle or digastricus is one of six key muscles which assist in the movement of the human jaw. The digastric muscle helps to open the mouth by lowering the mandible.

Literal meaning

The muscle with two bellies.

Interesting information

The digastric muscle, also referred to as the digastricus, is a small muscle situated under the jaw. The primary function of this muscle is to elevate the hyoid bone - a small, horseshoe shaped bone located between the thyroid cartilage and chin. By elevating the hyoid bone, the digastric muscle depresses or lowers the mandible, helping to open the mouth and also assisting in swallowing.

The name “disgastric” is indicative of the muscle’s double-bellied structure, though other muscles in the human body also possess two or more structural bellies. The anterior belly, being the smaller of the two structures, is located on the lower border of the mandible. The larger posterior belly is located on the inferior surface of the skull, on the medial surface of the mastoid process on the temporal bone. The two bellies are joined by an intermediate tendon.

Locating your digastric muscle can be tricky, but you may be able to feel the anterior belly contract by placing your finger under your chin and trying to open your mouth against your finger’s gentle resistance. At the same time, place another finger on the mastoid process - the large, round bony bump behind your earlobe. The contractions you feel in both areas are the anterior and posterior bellies of the digastric muscle.

Pain or discomfort in the digastric muscle may be related to muscle tears and sprains or injuries due to overuse. Some conditions which may affect the digastric muscle include myopathy, atrophy, infectious myositis, lacerations, contusions or neuromuscular diseases. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a general term used to describe acute or chronic pain in the jaw or surrounding face muscles, typically caused by muscle overuse or repetitive jaw-clenching and teeth grinding. Treatment for conditions of the digastric muscle typically entails pain-relief medications or muscle repair surgery. TMJ cases may require oral splints or dental surgery to minimize impact on the digastric muscle caused by the teeth.

Origin

Mastoid notch of the temporal bone.

Insertion

Digastric fossa of the mandible.

Function 

Mandible depression, elevation and posterior pulling of the hyoid bone which helps to open the mouth.

Nerve supply

Anterior belly: trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V).

Posterior belly: facial nerve (cranial nerve VII).

Blood supply

Anterior belly: submental branch of the facial artery, mylohyoid branch of the inferior alveolar artery.

Posterior belly: occipital artery.

Relevant research

Numerous structural variations have been observed in the digastric muscle. One study on the anatomical variations of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle has determined the differences to be primarily in shape and location of muscle attachment. Other studies show the presence of additional anterior bellies within the digastric muscle.

Liquidato, Bianca Maria, Mirna Duarte Barros, Adriana Leal Alves, and Celina Siqueira Barbosa Pereira. "Anatomical Study Of The Digastric Muscle: Variations In The Anterior Belly." International Journal of Morphology 25.4 (2007): Print.

Sargon, MF, and Çelik, HH. "An Abnormal Digastric Muscle With Three Bellies." Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 16.2 (1994): 215-216. Print.

Digastric exercises

Here is a simple exercise which may help to relieve tension in the digastric muscle. Jutting your chin forward and tilting your head slightly upwards, place the tips of both thumbs under your chin, one in front of the other. Next, place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, gradually increasing the pressure of your tongue while holding your thumbs firmly against the muscle. Hold for ten seconds and repeat three times.

Another exercise is the resisted digastric jaw protrusion exercise. Push the bottom of your jaw forwards, using resistance from your hand. This is a strengthening exercise for the jaw muscles, including the digastric muscle. Perform ten repetitions, three times per day.