Unilateral and bilateral variations of anterior belly of digastric muscle, its embryological basis and clinical importance- Case report

The digastric muscle is a key landmark in the suprahyoid region of the neck. Variations in the anterior belly of the digastric muscle were observed in two cadavers during routine dissection for medical undergraduates in the Department of Anatomy at Christian Medical College over a period of two years. In one cadaver a rare bilateral, symmetrical variation of the anterior belly was noted. Three bellies, the medial, intermediate and lateral were arising from the digastric fossa of the base of the mandible and had varied insertion. The other cadaver showed a unilateral presence of an accessory belly for the right anterior digastric muscle. Knowledge about these anatomical variations of anterior belly of digastric is essential during radiological diagnosis and surgical procedures in the suprahyoid region of neck.