Digastric

/daɪˈɡæstrɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to a muscle with two bellies or sections, especially the digastric muscle in the jaw that helps lower the jaw and open the mouth.

Etymology

From di- (two) + gastric (from Greek gaster, stomach/belly). Though named for two bellies, it actually refers to two muscular sections rather than stomach-related anatomy.

Kelly Says

Your digastric muscle has been working your whole life to let you speak and eat—it's literally two muscles disguised as one, connected by a clever tendon arrangement that gave ancient anatomists fits.

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