The submental artery is the largest branch of the facial artery in the neck.
Anatomy
Origin
The submental artery is the largest branch of the
facial artery in the neck.
It arises from the facial artery just as the facial artery splits the submandibular gland.
Course and distribution
The artery passes anterior-ward upon the mylohyoid muscle, coursing inferior to the body of the
Human mandible and deep to the
digastric. 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
at the mandibular symphysis 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 artery arteries.
Distribution
Branches
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The superficial branch passes between the integument and depressor labii inferioris, and anastomoses with the inferior labial artery.
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The deep branch runs between the muscle and the bone, supplies the lip, and anastomoses with the inferior labial artery and the mental branch of the inferior alveolar artery.
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