Muscle of neck with dual nerve supply
**Core Concept**
The digastric muscle is a unique muscle in the neck with a dual nerve supply, which is essential for its proper functioning. This dual innervation allows for precise control over the muscle's actions. The digastric muscle is also a clinically important muscle due to its involvement in various pathological conditions.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The digastric muscle has a dual nerve supply, receiving both motor innervation from the anterior belly via the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V3) and motor innervation from the posterior belly via the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). This dual innervation enables the digastric muscle to perform its actions of depressing the mandible and elevating the hyoid bone. The precise control over these actions is crucial for various oral and pharyngeal functions.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Sternohyoid muscle is primarily innervated by the ansa cervicalis, a branch of the cervical plexus, and does not have a dual nerve supply.
**Option B:** Thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by the first cervical spinal nerve via the ansa cervicalis and does not have a dual nerve supply.
**Option D:** Stylohyoid muscle is innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) and does not have a dual nerve supply.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The digastric muscle's dual nerve supply is a classic example of a muscle with a mixed nerve supply, highlighting the complexity and diversity of the human nervous system. This knowledge is essential for understanding various neurological and muscular disorders that may affect the digastric muscle.
**Correct Answer:**
β Correct Answer: C. Digastric