Submental lymph nodes
Organs of the immune system
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
| System | Lymphatic system |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nodi lymphoidei submentales |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Anatomy
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
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
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
The most common cause of enlargement of the submental lymph nodes are infections (including viral infections such as 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]
