# Submental space

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{{Short description|Fascial space below the chin}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Submental space
| Latin       = spatium submentale
| Image       = Submental space (Gray507 edit).png
| Caption     = Submental space situated on the superficial surface of mylohyoid muscle, medial to the anterior belly of the digastric muscle (highlighted in green).
| Width       = 
| Image2      = Submental space (Gray386 edit).png
| Caption2    = Left half of the submental space (right side of diagram has digastric muscle removed).
| Precursor   = 
| System      = 
| Artery      = 
| Vein        = 
| Nerve       = 
| Lymph       = 
}}
The '''submental space''' is a [fascial space of the head and neck](/source/fascial_spaces_of_the_head_and_neck) (sometimes also termed [fascia](/source/fascia)l spaces or tissue spaces). It is a [potential space](/source/potential_space) located between the [mylohyoid muscle](/source/mylohyoid_muscle) [superior](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location)ly, the [platysma muscle](/source/platysma_muscle) [inferior](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location)ly,<ref name="Cohen 2010">{{cite book|title=Cohen's pathways of the pulp|year=2010|publisher=Mosby Elsevier|location=St. Louis, Mo.|isbn=978-0323064897|pages=590|edition=10th|editor1=Kenneth M. Hargreaves |editor2=Stephen Cohen |editor3=Louis H.Berman}}</ref> under the chin in the midline. The space coincides with the [anatomic](/source/anatomy) region termed the [submental triangle](/source/submental_triangle), part of the [anterior triangle of the neck](/source/anterior_triangle_of_the_neck).

==Location and structure==
===Anatomic boundaries===

The boundaries of the submental space are:
* the mylohyoid muscle superiorly
* the investing layer of [deep cervical fascia](/source/deep_cervical_fascia) (and this in turn is covered by the platysma muscle) inferiorly
* the inferior border of the [mandible](/source/human_mandible) [anterior](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location)ly
* the [hyoid bone](/source/hyoid_bone) [posterior](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location)ly
* the anterior bellies of the [digastric muscle](/source/digastric_muscle)s [lateral](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location)ly.

===Communications===
The communications of the submental space are:
* the [submandibular space](/source/submandibular_space)s posterolaterally.
* the [sublingual space](/source/sublingual_space) superiorly (via erosion through the mylohyoid).

===Contents===
Its contents are submental [lymph node](/source/lymph_node)s, [areolar connective tissue](/source/areolar_connective_tissue) and the [anterior jugular vein](/source/anterior_jugular_vein)s.

==Clinical relevance==
This space may be created by pathology, such as the spread of [pus](/source/pus) in an infection. [Odontogenic infection](/source/Odontogenic_infection) of the mandibular anterior teeth may erode through the lingual cortical plate of the mandible. If the level at which the infection breaks out of the mandible is below the attachment of the mylohyoid, then it will spread into the submental space.<ref name="Cohen 2010" /> However, it is more usual for odontogenic infections to spread into the submental space via first involving the submandibular space. Cutaneous infections or symphyseal/parasymphyseal [mandibular fracture](/source/mandibular_fracture)s may also give rise to a submental space infection. Signs and symptoms of a severe submental [abscess](/source/abscess) include a firm swelling below the chin and [dysphagia](/source/dysphagia) (difficulty swallowing). Treatment is by surgical [incision and drainage](/source/incision_and_drainage), with the incision running transversely in a skin crease behind the chin.

[Ludwig's angina](/source/Ludwig's_angina) is a progressive [cellulitis](/source/cellulitis) involving the submandibular, sublingual and submental spaces bilaterally. Ludwig's angina may extend into the pharyngeal and cervical spaces, and the swelling can compress the airway and cause [dyspnoea](/source/dyspnoea) (difficulty breathing).<ref name="Cohen 2010" />

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{mouth anatomy}}
{{Digestive tract}}

Category:Fascial spaces of the head and neck
Category:Mouth
Category:Otorhinolaryngology
Category:Oral and maxillofacial surgery

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Submental space](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submental_space) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submental_space?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.