How to Pronounce Digastric
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Digastric Pronunciation
dy-GAS-trik
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
dy
GAS
stress here
trik
3 syllables
What is Digastric?
A two-bellied muscle under the chin that opens the mouth by lowering the jaw and also elevates the hyoid bone during swallowing. Its two bellies connect through a central tendon.
Questions About Digastric
How do you pronounce 'digastric'?
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Digastric is pronounced dy-GAS-trik. Say it like "dye" (rhymes with "pie"), then "GAS" (like the fuel), then "trik" (like "trick" without the second 'c'). Put the emphasis on the middle syllable: GAS.
What does the stress on 'GAS' mean, and what's a common mistake?
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The stress belongs on the second syllable—GAS—so it sounds like dy-GAS-trik. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable and saying DY-gas-trik, which sounds wrong. Remember: the middle part gets the emphasis.
How many syllables does 'digastric' have?
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Digastric has three syllables: di-GAS-tric. It's easier to say the word when you break it into these three chunks and emphasize the middle one.
Where does the word 'digastric' come from?
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Digastric comes from Latin and Greek roots: 'di-' means "two," and 'gastric' comes from the Greek word 'gaster,' meaning "belly" or "stomach." So "digastric" literally means "two-bellied," which describes the muscle's two separate parts.
What does 'digastric' mean in simple terms?
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Digastric describes a muscle under your chin that has two separate sections connected in the middle. The word itself just means "two-bellied"—it doesn't describe what the muscle does, just what it looks like.
Are there other medical words that use 'gastric'?
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Yes! Words like 'gastric' (relating to the stomach) and 'epigastric' (the upper belly area) also use the Greek root 'gaster.' Once you know that root means "belly," these related words become easier to understand.
How would you use 'digastric' correctly in a sentence?
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You might say: "The digastric muscle is located beneath the lower jaw" or "Your anatomy textbook shows the digastric as a two-part muscle." Use it when describing the structure of this particular muscle.
What's the most common mispronunciation of 'digastric'?
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People often say di-GAS-trik correctly but then stress the wrong syllable, making it sound like DY-gas-trik. Some also rush the first syllable and say 'dih' instead of 'dye,' which makes it harder to understand. Slow down and emphasize GAS in the middle.

