Submandibular triangle

The submandibular triangle (or submaxillary or digastric triangle) corresponds to the region of the neck immediately beneath the body of the mandible.

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Boundaries and coverings

It is bounded:

• above, by the lower border of the body of the mandible, and a line drawn from its angle to the mastoid process;
• below, by the posterior belly of the Digastricus and the Stylohyoideus; in front, by the anterior belly of the Digastricus.

It is covered by the integument, superficial fascia, Platysma, and deep fascia, ramifying in which are branches of the facial nerve and ascending filaments of the cutaneous cervical nerve.

Its floor is formed by the Mylohyoideus, Hyoglossus, and Constrictor pharyngis superior.

Divisions

It is divided into an anterior and a posterior part by the stylomandibular ligament.

Anterior part

The anterior part contains the submaxillary gland, superficial to which is the anterior facial vein, while imbedded in the gland is the external maxillary artery and its glandular branches.

Beneath the gland, on the surface of the Mylohyoideus, are the submental artery and the mylohyoid artery and nerve.

Posterior part

The posterior part of this triangle contains the external carotid artery, ascending deeply in the substance of the parotid gland

This vessel lies here in front of, and superficial to, the internal carotid, being crossed by the facial nerve, and gives off in its course the posterior auricular, superficial temporal, and internal maxillary branches: more deeply are the internal carotid, the internal jugular vein, and the vagus nerve, separated from the external carotid by the Styloglossus and Stylopharyngeus, and the glossopharyngeal nerve

See also

• Anterior triangle of the neck

Additional images

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.