Dissection of submental region

Platysma; transverse mental muscle; digastric muscle and submaxillary gland, anteroinferior view

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Image #67-5

Dissection of submental region

Platysma; transverse mental muscle; digastric muscle and submaxillary gland, anteroinferior view

The skin and tela subcutaneous have been removed and the left platysma cut away. The fascia which covered the left submaxillary gland and anterior belly of the digastric muscle has been removed. The exterior layer of deep cervical fascia has been retained over the infrahyoid muscles.

1. Mentalis muscle
2. Fascia covering mylohyoid muscle
3. Filament of cutaneous colli
4. Superficial fascia (external layer)
5. Superficial cutaneous nerve (this branch descends nearly to sternum along medial border of sternocleidomastoid muscle)
6. Sternocleidomastoid muscle
7. Depressor anguli oris and transverse mental muscle (continuous)
8. Platysma (cut off) and mandible
9. Anterior belly digastric muscle
10. Upper pointer: Submandibular lymph node Lower pointer: Submental lymph node
11. Submandibular gland
12. Dense connective tissue covering hyoid bone
13. Anterior jugular veins
14. Superior deep cervical lymph node and internal jugular vein
15. Sternohyoid muscle (visible beneath superficial fascia)