Asymmetry of the Accessory Anterior Digastric Muscle Bellies: The Clinical Significance in Facial and Neck Surgery

Abstract

The anterior digastric muscle belly (ADMB) may present significant variations of substantial surgical importance. We present an unusual complex bilateral asymmetry of an accessory ADMB found when dissecting the submental area in a 72-year-old Greek male cadaver. A rare variant was recognized in the submental area constituted by a combination of bilateral asymmetry of the ADMB with unilateral absence of the intermediate tendon. The complex variant caused an obvious morphological asymmetry in the submental area. Such muscular variations may alter the surgical approach to the submental region. Clinicians involved in the treatment of this area should be aware of any possible variant, particularly when dealing with neck mass patients.

Morphological study of the anatomical variations of anterior belly of digastric muscle in Brazilian cadavers

“…The submental and submandibular areas are very well vascularized, and knowledge of their muscle abnormalities is essential when a myocutaneous flap is mobilized in reconstructive plastic surgery. Vascular variations can coexist and, to maintain and increase the viability of the flap, the branching pattern of the vessels must be well preserved intraoperatively [10]. Thus, cases of variations in this region must be carefully identified to avoid misinterpretations and assist in the correct surgical or aesthetic procedure and help in the teaching of Anatomy.…”

Comportamento do grupo muscular dos supra-hioideos durante a deglutição de diferentes volumes de líquido

“…O ventre anterior origina-se na face interna da margem inferior da mandíbula e é inervada pelo nervo mio-hioideo 24 , já o ventre posterior tem origem no processo mastoide do osso temporal, suas fibras tem ramos para baixo e para frente, profundamente ao músculo esternocleideomastoieo 21 , é inervado pelo nervo facial 24 . Os dois ventres são convergidos para o tendão intermediário, conectando-os ao osso hioideo.…”