Submental lymph nodes

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
1: Submental lymph nodes 2: Submandibular lymph nodes 3: Supraclavicular lymph nodes 4: Retropharyngeal lymph nodes 5: Buccinator lymph node 6: Superficial cervical lymph nodes 7: Jugular lymph nodes 8: Parotid lymph nodes 9: Retroauricular lymph nodes and occipital 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 [edit on Wikidata]

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]

See also

• Submental triangle