Swellings of the Submental Region

The submental triangle is bounded on either side by the anterior belly of digastric muscle and inferiorly by the hyoid bone, which forms the base of the triangle, while the chin forms the apex. The floor of the submental triangle is formed by the two mylohyoid muscles while the roof is made by the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia. This chapter explores the clinical and histopathological features of masses confined to the submental region and outlines an approach to the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions. Swellings confined to the submental space are most likely to occur secondary to local and benign pathologies of the head and neck. However, malignancies or systemic diseases must also be ruled out. Careful assessment of the nasal and oral cavities is essential, and adequate treatment is based on the underlying pathology. This chapter discusses the characteristic features, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common causes of swellings that are located in the submental region (triangle), namely, submental lymphadenopathy, plunging sublingual dermoid cyst, hourglass ranula, and abscesses related to the mandible, as well as rare causes such as submental ectopic thyroid tissue.