| 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 | |
Thesubmental lymph nodes (orsuprahyoid lymph nodes[citation needed]) are 2-3lymph nodes[1] situated in thesubmental triangle,[1] between the anterior bellies of thedigastric muscle and thehyoid bone.[2]
The submental lymph nodes are situated in the submental fascial space. They are situated close to the midline. They are immediately superficial to themylohyoid muscle.[1]
They drain thelower lip, floor of themouth,apex of the tongue, chin, and inferior/mandibular incisor teeth and their associated periodontium and gingiva.[1]
They drain either tosubmandibular lymph nodes (which then drain todeep cervical lymph nodes), or to thedeep cervical lymph nodes directly.[1]
The most common cause of enlargement of the submental lymph nodes are infections (including viral infections such asmononucleosis,Epstein-Barr virus infection, andcytomegaloviral infections),toxoplasmosis, and dental infections (e.g.periodontitis)).[1]
The lymph nodes may be affected bymetastatic spread from cancers of their drained territories.[1]
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