Interclavicularis anticus digastricus muscle in a female body donor: a case report

Abstract

Background and objectives: Muscular variations of the ventral thoracic wall are generally common and of great clinical interest.

Materials and methods: An unusual muscular variation of the ventral thoracic wall was observed and dissected in a West-European female body donor.

Results: An interclavicularis anticus digastricus muscle was observed and studied. It originated from the manubrium sterni and inserted bilaterally to the clavicles. Both muscle bellies were interconnected by a tendon on the ventral surface of the manubrium sterni. The muscle was innervated by branches of the lateral pectoral nerve.

Conclusions: The interclavicularis anticus digastricus muscle is a muscular variation of the ventral thoracic wall of unknown prevalence. This variation might be of clinical interest in orthopaedics and thoracic surgery. It is also a vulnerable structure during infraclavicular insertion of a subclavian vein catheter or fractures of the clavicle.

Keywords: Clavicle; Lateral pectoral nerve; Muscular variations; Pectoralis major muscle; Sternum.