The anterior belly of the digastric is innervated by the trigeminal nerve (unlike the posterior belly which is facial nerve), reflecting its first branchial arch origin. It forms the lateral boundary of the submental triangle.
| Origin | Digastric fossa of the mandible, adjacent to the symphysis |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Intermediate tendon, anchored to the hyoid bone by a fibrous loop |
| Nerve Supply | Mylohyoid nerve, branch of inferior alveolar nerve (V3) |
| Blood Supply | Submental artery |
| Actions |
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It depresses the mandible and elevates the hyoid during swallowing and speech.
The anterior digastric belly is the reference for the submental triangle, bounded laterally by the anterior bellies bilaterally and inferiorly by the hyoid. Lymph nodes in the submental triangle are level IA. The anterior belly is used as a landmark in submandibular gland excision.
Palpated in the submental region during resisted mouth opening.
Anterior belly fibrosis contributing to submental scar contracture after burns or neck radiation producing limited jaw opening.
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