digastric

American  

[dahy-gas-trik] / daɪˈgæs trɪk /

adjective

1. (of a muscle) having two bellies with an intermediate tendon.

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noun

1. a muscle of the lower jaw, the action of which assists in lowering the jaw.

digastric British  

/ daɪˈɡæstrɪk /

adjective

1. (of certain muscles) having two fleshy portions joined by a tendon

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noun

1. a muscle of the mandible that assists in lowering the lower jaw

Etymology

Origin of digastric

From the New Latin word digastricus, dating back to 1690–1700. See di- ¹, gastric

Example Sentences

These include the digastric muscle, which has anterior and posterior bellies that work to elevate the hyoid bone and larynx when one swallows; it also depresses the mandible.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Perched high in a wicker armchair astern was Herbert Clark Hoover, a floppy hat shading his eyes, a three-inch starched collar prodding his digastric muscle.

From Time Magazine Archive

Having two bellies or protuberances; as, a biventral, or digastric, muscle, or the biventral lobe of the cerebellum.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

The anterior border of the sterno-mastoid must be pulled backwards, and the digastric and stylo-hyoid forwards and inwards.

From A Manual of the Operations of Surgery For the Use of Senior Students, House Surgeons, and Junior Practitioners by Bell, Joseph

The submaxillary gland lies under the integument and fascia in the triangle formed by the lower jaw and the two bellies of the digastric muscle.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander