The complete anatomy of the digastric muscle variation: a meta-analysis of its variations, prevalence and clinical implications
Year: 2025
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Digastric muscle (DM) constitutes a fundamental component of the suprahyoid region, where it contributes to the indirect depression of the mandible and plays an essential role in deglutition and phonation. The objective of the present study is to systematically evaluate the morphometry and anatomical characteristics of DM through a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies reporting extractable data pertaining to this muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Major online medical databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SciELO, BIOSIS, Current Content Connect and Korean Journal Database were searched to gather all relevant studies regarding the anatomical characteristics of DM. RESULTS: The results of the present meta-analysis comprised 52 studies. The overall frequency of DM variation in the general population is 17.51% (95% CI: 13.70-22.12%) occurring more often in men 10.78% (95% CI: 5.58-19.81%) than in women 7.19% (95% CI: 3.83-13.12%). Based on the De-Ary-Pires classification, the most prevalent morphological pattern of the DM was consistently identified as Type I. The pooled mean length of DM was calculated at 42.41 mm (95% CI: 33.32-51.49). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the most extensive and up-to-date evaluation of DM morphometry and anatomy to date. Its findings provide an important reference for clinicians, particularly surgeons performing procedures in the head and neck region.
Source: Folia Morphologica
DOI: 10.5603/fm.108600
Institutions: Jagiellonian University, Jan Matejko Academy Of Fine Arts
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4417110682
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