Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower limb
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
Types of tissues
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Cartilage and bone Muscle tissue Nervous tissue
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphoid system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system Eye and ear
AnatomyHead and neckNeckSubmental triangle
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

AnatomyHead and neckNeckSubmental triangle

Submental triangle

Author: Benjamin Aghoghovwia • Reviewer: Ryan Sixtus, MPhEd
Last reviewed: February 23, 2022
Reading time: 3 minutes

Recommended video: Neurovasculature and lymph nodes of the neck [25:23]
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)

Highlights

  • The submental triangle is an unpaired sub-region of the anterior cervical region.
  • The apex is at the mandibular symphysis.
  • The base is represented by the hyoid bone.
  • The roof is formed by the two mylohyoid muscles.
  • The contents of the submental triangle include the mylohyoid nerve, lymphatics and branches of the facial artery and vein.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • R.M.H McMinn: Last's anatomy (Regional and Applied), 9th edition, Ana-Maria Dulea (2014), p. 439, 424, 428 - 429.
  • P.W Tank: Grant’s Dissector, 14th edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, (2009), p. 192 – 194.
  • S. Standring: Gray’s Anatomy – The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 40th edition, (2008), p. 406.
  • K.L. Moore and A.F Dalley: Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 5th edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2006), p. 1054, 1064 - 1065.

Illustrators:

  • Digastric muscle (anterior view) - Yousun Koh
  • Submental artery (anterior view) -  Yousun Koh

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?

Videos Quizzes Both

“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!