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Arrowhead Variation of the Anterior Digastric Musculature
Author(s) -
Holmes J. Scott,
Rickards Allen A.,
Swearingen Jordan V,
Miller Kyle D,
Mangus Kelsey R.,
Zdilla Matthew J.,
Lambert H. Wayne
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.896.17
Subject(s) - digastric muscle , medicine , anatomy , head and neck , surgery
The submental musculature is important in numerous head and neck surgeries including rhytidectomy, the submental artery flap, and anterior digastric muscle transfer. Variations can lead to complications during surgery and may necessitate appropriate contingency plans when encountered. Further, variations of the anterior digastric musculature are common; however, few attempts have been made to categorize commonly occurring anterior digastric variations. This report documents the prevalence of a variation of the anterior digastric musculature previously thought to occur as an entirely unique variation. The variation appears as sheet‐like bilateral anterior digastric musculature variations converging at the mylohyoid raphe to form an ‘arrowhead.’ The results of this study demonstrate that the variation is not completely unusual. Surgeons should be aware of the potential for an arrowhead variation of the anterior digastric musculature to contribute to difficulty in regional surgeries. Understanding the anatomy and prevalence of arrowhead anterior digastric variations is of particular importance because current screening methods have not been demonstrated to identify such sheet‐like variations of the submental musculature. Support or Funding Information Funding for Holmes JS, Rickards AA, Swearingen JV, and Miller KD was provided by the WVU Initiation to Research Opportunities (INTRO) Summer Research program. Funding for Mangus KR was provided by the WV Research Challenge Fund [HEPC.dsr.14.13].