The digastric muscle is a small, thin muscle located in the neck. It consists of two parts: the anterior belly and the posterior belly. The anterior belly originates at the digastric fossa, a depression on the inner surface of the mandible (jawbone), and the posterior belly originates at the mastoid process, a bony projection on the base of the skull. The two bellies are joined by an intermediate tendon, which runs through the digastric groove on the inner surface of the mandible. The muscle inserts into the hyoid bone, a U-shaped bone located in the neck.

The digastric muscle has several important functions in the head and neck. It helps to lift the hyoid bone and the mandible during swallowing, and is also involved in the production of speech sounds. It also helps to support the floor of the mouth and the tongue, and can assist in keeping the airway open during respiration.

The digastric muscle is innervated by the facial nerve, which is a cranial nerve that controls the muscles of the face. It is a voluntary muscle, meaning that it can be controlled voluntarily by the person.

In some cases, the digastric muscle may be surgically modified or altered to address certain medical conditions, such as problems with swallowing or speaking. It may also be used as a donor muscle for reconstructive surgery in the head and neck region.