Cervicomental angle: neck and chin definition
- Nerve
- Highlighted area
Quick facts
- Definition
- Angle between the line of the submental region (under the chin) and the line of the front of the neck, seen in profile.
- Cited reference
- In the neck rejuvenation literature, an angle between about 105 and 120 degrees is described as youthful and well defined.
- Factors that open the angle
- Submental fat, platysma laxity, low and anterior hyoid, recessed chin, visible submandibular glands.
- Relevance in HOF
- Helps assess double chin and neck definition and decide whether the chin is part of the plan.
- In Harmy
- The Chin and Jawline points cover the areas that influence the angle in the frontal photo.
The cervicomental angle is the angle formed, in profile, between the line of the area under the chin (submental) and the line of the front of the neck. It is the measurement that turns into a number what the patient calls a "defined neck" or a double chin. The sharper it is, the clearer the separation between face and neck; the more open it is, the more the chin seems to merge into the neck.
How is it measured?
With a standardized profile photo, head in natural position (Frankfort plane horizontal), two lines are drawn:
| Line | Where it runs |
|---|---|
| Submental | Tangent to the skin under the chin, from the chin toward the deepest point between chin and neck |
| Cervical | Tangent to the front of the neck, from that deepest point, downward |
The angle between the two is the cervicomental angle. In the neck rejuvenation literature, an angle between about 105 and 120 degrees is described as youthful and well defined. Methods vary between authors (some use the neck line down to the thyroid cartilage), so always compare using the same technique and the same posture. Flexing the head down artificially closes the angle, and extending it opens it.
What keeps the angle open?
| Factor | Layer | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Submental subcutaneous fat | Superficial | Can be pinched between the fingers |
| Subplatysmal fat | Deep | Cannot be pinched; does not respond to superficial techniques |
| Laxity of the platysma and bands | Muscular | Shows more when the neck is contracted |
| Low and anterior hyoid | Skeletal | Limits definition even in thin people |
| Recessed chin (retrogenia) | Skeletal | Shortens the submental line |
| Visible submandibular glands, anterior belly of the digastric | Deep | Volumes that are not fat |
| Lax skin | Superficial | Common after weight loss and with age |
Why does it matter in HOF?
The angle helps separate what is double chin from fat from what is lack of chin projection or structure. In profiles with a recessed chin, chin filler can improve how the profile reads, but it does not treat fat or laxity. Submental fat, laxity and bands call for a different approach. The full assessment is in double chin: assessment, and the area in neck.
How does it show up in the assessment?
- Profile photo in natural position: the basis for measuring and comparing.
- Pinch test: separates superficial fat from deep volume.
- Platysma contraction: reveals bands and laxity.
- Relation to the profile: look at the chin, the mentolabial angle and the jaw line together.
Also known as: cervicomental angle, neck-chin angle, cervicomentoniano angle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal cervicomental angle?
The reference values most cited in the neck surgery literature are between about 105 and 120 degrees, but they vary with the measurement method, sex and anatomy. Angles well above this indicate a less defined neck.
Does chin filler improve the neck angle?
It can improve how the profile reads when the chin is recessed, because projecting the chin lengthens the submental line. It does not treat neck fat or laxity, and the indication depends on assessment by the qualified professional.