Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study Login Register
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Submental triangle

Arteries, veins, nerves and lymph nodes of the neck.

The submental triangle defines a sub-region of the anterior cervical region (anterior triangle of the neck). It is one of four smaller triangles within the anterior triangle of the neck and contains some important vascular structures. With those four smaller triangles, a more precise localization of structures within the anterior cervical region of the neck is achieved.

The other three triangles are the submandibular, carotid, and muscular. These three triangles are paired, because they are found on both sides of the midline, but the submental is unpaired and sits on the midline just inferior to the chin.

Contents
  1. Borders
  2. Contents
  3. Highlights
  4. Sources
+ Show all

Borders

Digastric muscle (anterior view)

The submental triangle, also referred to as the suprahyoid triangle, is an unpaired suprahyoid area lying inferior to the chin. It is limited by the body of the hyoid bone inferiorly, laterally by the right and left anterior bellies of the digastric muscles.

These bellies of the digastrics muscle taper superiorly and forward towards the apex of the triangle. The apex of the submental triangle is at the mandibular symphysis, the site of union of the halves of the mandible during the early years of life. The hyoid bone forms the base of the triangle, while the roof is formed by the two mylohyoid muscles, which meet in a median fibrous raphe.

The submental triangle is not a clinically significant space. Its involvement with congenital lesions of the head and neck, or any form of inflammation, is relatively uncommon compared with the prevalence of such lesions in other cervical regions.

Contents

Although the submental triangle is a superficial region, it houses some important structures, such as:

Submental artery (anterior view)

Submental triangle: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!