Digastric muscle

About the digastric muscle of the dog

Digastric muscle is a muscle of the head (head), one on each side of the body. Its name in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria is Musculus digastricus. You can turn it above, see it in place in the head of the dog, and open it inside the whole animal in Vetomica.

Where it runs from and to

A muscle is told apart from its neighbours by what it takes hold of at each end, which is also what decides what it does when it shortens.

Origin

Paracondylar (jugular) process of the occipital bone.

Insertion

Ventromedial edge of the mandibular body, rostral to the angle.

Action

Depresses the mandible to open the mouth.

Nerve

Two sources: caudal belly by the facial nerve (CN VII), rostral belly by the mandibular nerve (CN V).

Written for Vetomica in its own words from the standard reference anatomy of the dog; the books it was checked against are listed below.

What it works on

Bones it takes hold of

• Occipital bone
• Mandible

Muscles and ligaments it works with

• Masseter
• Mylohyoid muscle
• Pterygoideus medialis
• Sternocephalic muscle
• Styloglossus

Terminology

English

Digastric muscle

Latin (NAV)

Musculus digastricus

Status

A valid term in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria

References

Where to read this structure in full, and where the named parts above were read.

• NAV 2017Myologia
• Miller's Anatomy of the Dog, 5th ed.The Muscular System: muscles of the head
• Dyce, Sack & WensingThe head and ventral neck of the dog and cat
• Miller 2020 (book pass)ch. 6 The Muscular System, PDF p. 478

The digastric muscle in other animals

The same structure in the other animals in the Library, to compare.

• Digastric muscle of the horse

Questions about the digastric muscle

What is the Latin name of the digastric muscle?

In the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria, the digastric muscle is called Musculus digastricus.

Where is the digastric muscle of the dog?

Digastric muscle is a muscle of the head (head), one on each side of the body.

Which bones does the digastric muscle attach to?

Digastric muscle takes hold of Occipital bone and Mandible.

Where does the digastric muscle originate and insert?

Origin: Paracondylar (jugular) process of the occipital bone. Insertion: Ventromedial edge of the mandibular body, rostral to the angle.

What nerve supplies the digastric muscle?

Two sources: caudal belly by the facial nerve (CN VII), rostral belly by the mandibular nerve (CN V).

What does the digastric muscle do?

Depresses the mandible to open the mouth.