The submental lymph nodes (or suprahyoid lymph nodes[citation needed]) are 2-3 lymph nodes[1] situated in the submental triangle,[1] between the anterior bellies of the digastric muscle and the hyoid bone.[2]

Submental lymph nodes
Superficial lymph glands and lymphatic vessels of head and neck. (Buccinator glands labeled at center right.)
Details
SystemLymphatic system
Identifiers
Latinnodi lymphoidei submentales
Anatomical terminology

Anatomy

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The submental lymph nodes are situated in the submental fascial space. They are situated close to the midline. They are immediately superficial to the mylohyoid muscle.[1]

Afferents

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They drain the lower lip, floor of the mouth, apex of the tongue, chin, and inferior/mandibular incisor teeth and their associated periodontium and gingiva.[1]

Efferents

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They drain either to submandibular lymph nodes (which then drain to deep cervical lymph nodes), or to the deep cervical lymph nodes directly.[1]

Clinical significance

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The most common cause of enlargement of the submental lymph nodes are infections (including viral infections (mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and cytomegaloviral infections), toxoplasmosis, and dental infections (e.g. periodontitis)).[1]

The lymph nodes may be affected by metastatic spread from cancers of their drained territories.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Fehrenbach, Margaret J.; Herring, Susan W. (2017). Illustrated Anatomy of the Head and Neck (5th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier. p. 250. ISBN 978-0-323-39634-9.
  2. ^ Smeele, Ludi E. (2017-01-01), Brennan, Peter A.; Schliephake, Henning; Ghali, G. E.; Cascarini, Luke (eds.), "25 - Neck Dissection", Maxillofacial Surgery (Third Edition), Churchill Livingstone, pp. 398–404, doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-6056-4.00026-5, ISBN 978-0-7020-6056-4, retrieved 2020-11-14
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