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.