Submental artery

The submental artery is the largest branch of the facial artery in the neck.[1] It first runs forward under the mouth, then turns upward upon reaching the chin.

Anatomy

Origin

The submental artery is the largest branch of the facial artery in the neck.[1]

It arises from the facial artery just as the facial artery splits the submandibular gland.[1]

Course and distribution

The artery passes anterior-ward upon the mylohyoid muscle, coursing inferior to the body of the mandible and deep to the digastric muscle.[citation needed] Here, the artery supplies adjacent muscles and skin; it also forms anastomoses with the sublingual artery and with the mylohyoid branch of the inferior alveolar artery. Upon reaching the chin, artery turns superior-ward[1] at the mandibular symphysis[citation needed] to pass over the mandible before dividing into a superficial branch and a deep branch; the two terminal branches are distributed to the chin and lower lip, and form anastomoses with the inferior labial and mental arteries.[1]

Distribution

Branches

Additional images

  • Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.
    Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.
  • Submental artery
    Submental artery
  • Submental artery
    Submental artery

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 555 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. ^ a b c d e Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42th ed.). New York. p. 586. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)