Submental artery: anatomy under the chin
- Artery
- Highlighted area
Quick facts
- Origin
- Cervical branch of the facial artery, near the submandibular gland, before the facial artery crosses the border of the mandible.
- Course
- Runs forward under the body of the mandible, over the mylohyoid muscle, toward the chin.
- Territory
- Submental skin and fat, mylohyoid and digastric (anterior belly) muscles, the sublingual gland in some cases, and the chin.
- Anastomoses
- With the sublingual artery, with the mylohyoid branch of the inferior alveolar, with the mental artery and with the inferior labial artery.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- A vessel to consider in procedures under the chin, in chin contouring and in surgery of the anterior mandible.
The submental artery is a branch of the facial artery that arises in the neck, near the submandibular gland, and runs forward under the body of the mandible to the chin. It supplies the skin and fat under the chin, muscles of the floor of the mouth and part of the chin, where it communicates with the mental and inferior labial arteries. In facial harmonization (known in Brazil as HOF, orofacial harmonization), it is the reference vessel of the submental region, where the double chin is assessed.
What is the course of the submental artery?
| Segment | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Origin | Facial artery, in the region of the submandibular gland, before the facial artery crosses the border of the mandible |
| Cervical course | Forward, under the body of the mandible, over the mylohyoid muscle, usually near the anterior belly of the digastric |
| Arrival at the chin | Wraps around the lower border of the mandible in the chin region and spreads through the chin |
| Anastomoses | Sublingual (from the lingual artery), mylohyoid branch, mental artery, inferior labial and the artery of the opposite side |
The vessel lies below the platysma, in the plane of the subplatysmal fat and the submandibular glands. It is accompanied by the submental vein, and variations exist: in some people, a branch passes through the mylohyoid and supplies the sublingual gland in place of the sublingual artery.
In plastic and head and neck surgery, the artery is the basis of the submental flap, used in facial reconstruction, which shows that it is constant and of good caliber.
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
- Double chin and neck: procedures for submental fat and threads in the lower third pass through the region where the artery runs. In the layer below the platysma, the vessel and the glands call for respect for the plane.
- Chin contour: the network that reaches the chin along the border of the mandible joins the mental and inferior labial arteries, which are relevant in chin filler.
- Dentistry: together with the sublingual artery, it supplies the floor of the mouth. Perforation of the lingual cortical plate in the anterior mandible can cause a hematoma of the floor of the mouth, with a risk of airway obstruction.
How does it show up in the assessment?
- Pinching the submental region: separates superficial fat from deep volume, which lies in the plane of the artery.
- Palpation: the submandibular gland and, at times, the pulse at the border of the mandible help with orientation.
- History: anticoagulants, previous neck surgery and implants in the anterior region.
The full assessment of the region is in double chin: assessment, and profile measurement in cervicomental angle.
Also called: arteria submentalis, submentonian artery.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the submental artery come from?
From the facial artery, still in the neck, near the submandibular gland. It continues forward under the mandible, over the mylohyoid muscle, and ends in the chin region, where it communicates with the mental and inferior labial arteries.
Why does the submental artery matter for dentists?
Because it and the sublingual artery supply the floor of the mouth. Perforation of the lingual cortical plate in the anterior mandible, for example during implant surgery, can cause a hematoma of the floor of the mouth, with a risk to the airway.