Posterior belly of digastric
-
The posterior belly of the digastric (latin: venter posterior musculi digastrici) is the largest of the two bellies of the digastric muscle, and it develops from the second pharyngeal arch.
Origin
The posterior belly originates from the mastoid notch medial to the mastoid process on the temporal bone.
Insertion
From the origin site the posterior belly of the digastric stretches forward and becomes or inserts into the intermediate tendon, which attaches to the hyoid bone.
Action
Upon activation the posterior belly of the digastric elevates the hyoid bone.
Innervation
The posterior belly of the digastric muscle receives nerve supply from the digastric branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).