Submandibular space
Last revised by Francis Deng on 26 Jul 2022
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Knipe H, Deng F, Carpenter G, et al. Submandibular space. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 04 Dec 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-46135
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rID:
46135
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosuresLast revised:
26 Jul 2022, Francis Deng ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Francis Deng had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Francis Deng's current disclosuresRevisions:
8 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
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Synonyms:
- Submaxillary space
- Submylohyoid space
The submandibular space is a suprahyoid deep compartment of the head and neck that encompasses the submandibular gland and surrounding structures.
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Terminology
Within this compartment, all authors include the space within the submandibular triangle around the submandibular gland. Some also subsume the submental space and others further include the sublingual space, as these spaces communicate freely 5,6. In the latter case, the portion of the submandibular space inferior to the mylohyoid muscle sling is also known as the submaxillary space or submylohyoid space 6. The article below uses the most granular of these definitions (i.e. treating the submental and sublingual spaces as separate compartments and the submandibular space to be synonymous with the submylohyoid/submaxillary space).
Gross anatomy
The superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia between the mandible and hyoid bone forms the floor of the submandibular space.
Boundaries
- anterolaterally: mandible
- medially: anterior belly of digastric muscles
- posteriorly: muscles of the tongue
- superiorly: mylohyoid muscle
- inferiorly: hyoid bone
- superficially: platysma muscle
Contents
- superficial (main) portion of the submandibular gland
- submandibular lymph nodes (level Ib)
- facial artery and vein
- fat
- inferior loop of the hypoglossal nerve
Relations
- superiorly: sublingual space (separated by the mylohyoid muscle anteriorly and continuous posteriorly around the posterior edge of mylohyoid)
- medially: submental space
- posteriorly: parapharyngeal space
Related pathology
- abscess (usually dental source)
- Ludwig angina
- diving ranula
- submandibular sialolithisis and sialadenitis
References
- 1. Law CP, Chandra RV, Hoang JK et-al. Imaging the oral cavity: key concepts for the radiologist. Br J Radiol. 2011;84 (1006): 944-57. Br J Radiol (full text) - doi:10.1259/bjr/70520972 - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
- 2. Richard H. Wiggins III. Head and Neck Imaging, An Issue of Radiologic Clinics of North America,. (2014) ISBN: 9780323342025
- 3. Liu PS. Normal MR Anatomy, An Issue of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics (The Clinics: Radiology). Saunders. ISBN:B005NI3CIQ. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Byron J. Bailey, Jonas T. Johnson, Shawn D. Newlands. Head & Neck Surgery--otolaryngology. (2019) ISBN: 9780781755610
- 5. Guidera AK, Dawes PJ, Fong A, Stringer MD. Head and neck fascia and compartments: no space for spaces. (2014) Head & neck. 36 (7): 1058-68. doi:10.1002/hed.23442 - Pubmed
- 6. Som PM, Curtin HD. Head and Neck Imaging. (2011) ISBN: 9780323053556
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Mylohyoid muscle
- Parapharyngeal abscess
- Dental abscess
- Tonsillitis
- Floor of mouth
- Hypoglossal nerve
- Deep spaces of the head and neck
- Submandibular gland
- Masticator space
- Mylohyoid boutonniere
- Superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia
- Submental space
- Sublingual space
- Ranula
- Anterior cervical space
- Blue rubber bleb naevus syndrome
- Ludwig angina
Cases:
- Ludwig angina
- Acute submandibular abscess and unpaired anterior jugular vein
- Plunging ranula
- Ranula
- Submandibular schwannoma
- Second branchial cleft cyst
- Sinonasal lymphoma
- Peritonsillar abscess
- Plunging ranula
- Mylohyoid boutonniere
- Parotid abscess
- Ludwig angina
- Odontogenic cervical abscess
- Chronic submandibular abscess
Related articles: Anatomy: Head and neck
- skeleton of the head and neck
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cranial vault
- scalp (mnemonic)
- fontanelle
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sutures
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- frontozygomatic suture
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facial bones
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cranial vault
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facial muscles
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deep spaces of the neck
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arterial supply
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common carotid artery
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arterial supply
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cranial nerves
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- optic nerve (CN II)
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trigeminal nerve (CN V) (mnemonic)
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vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
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- greater occipital nerve
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cervical plexus
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