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 | Depresses and retracts the mandible during mouth opening; Elevates and fixes the hyoid bone during swallowing |
|---|
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.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
