Submandibular triangle, carotid triangle

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Submandibular triangle, carotid triangle

The triangles of the neck are topographic areas which are bounded by the neck muscles.

Sternocleidomastoid muscle divides the neck into 2 major neck triangles: anterior triangle and posterior triangles, each of them containing a few subdivisions.

The importance of the triangles are due to their content, as they contain the neck structures including glands, nerves, vessels and lymph nodes.

Both triangles discussed here are subdivisions of the anterior triangle of the neck.

The anterior triangle

Is further subdivided by the hyoid bone, suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles into 4 different triangles. The anterior triangle is situated at the front of the neck and has the following borders:

1. Superiorly- the inferior border of mandible.

2. Laterally- the anterior border of sternocleidomastoid.

3. Medially - sagittal line down the midline of the neck.

4. Floor- visceral fascia of the neck.

5. Roof- investing fascia of the neck.

6. Apex- jugular notch.

The submandibular triangle

Located below the body of mandible and above both bellies of the digastric muscle. Its Boundaries are as follows:

1. Anteriorly- anterior belly of digastric muscle.

2. Posteriorly- posterior belly of digastric muscle and stylohyoid muscle.

3. Superiorly- body of mandible bone.

4. Apex- intermediate tendon of digastric muscle.

5. Floor- Mylohyoid and hypoglossal muscles.

6. Roof- skin, fascia and platysma muscle.

Content of the submandibular triangle

1. Submandibular gland

2. Submandibular ganglion

3. Submandibular duct

4. Submandibular lymph nodes

5. Facial artery

6. Facial vein

7. Submental artery

8. Submental vein

9. Lingual artery

10. Lingual vein

11. Lingual nerve

12. Mylohyoid nerve

13. Hypoglossal nerve

The carotid triangle

Located beneath the submandibular triangle, ventral to sternocleidomastoid muscle. Its boundaries are as follows:

1. Anteriorly- omohyoid muscle superior belly.

2. Superiorly- posterior belly of digastric muscle and stylohyoid muscle.

3. Laterally- medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

4. Inferiorly- omohyoid muscle superior belly.

5. Floor- hypoglossal muscle, thyrohyoid muscle parts, inferior and middle pharyngeal constrictors.

6. Roof- deep and superficial fascia of the neck, skin, platysma.

Content of the carotid triangle:

The carotid triangle contains the internal carotid sheath (internal jugular vein, common carotid artery, vagus nerve).

1. Common carotid artery (bifurcates at level C4).

2. Internal jugular vein

3. Hypoglossal nerve

4. Superior root of Ansa cervicalis

5. Vagus nerve

6. External carotid artery

7. Superior thyroid artery

8. Lingual artery

9. Facial artery

10. Facial vein

11. Retromandibular vein

12. Lingual vein

13. Superior thyroid vein

14. Sympathetic trunk (superior cervical ganglion)

15. Accessory nerve

16. Lateral group of deep cervical lymph nodes

Pirogoff’s triangle

A sub triangle located within the submandibular triangle. Its borders are as follows:

1. Anteriorly- tendon of digastric muscle

2. Posteriorly- tendon of digastric muscle

3. Superiorly- hypoglossal nerve.

Content of Pirogoff’s triangle:

1. Lingual artery

2. Lingual vein

Beclard’s triangle

A sub triangle located within the submandibular triangle, where the lingual artery could be found. Its borders are as follows:

1. Superiorly- posterior belly of digastric muscle

2. Posteriorly- posterior margin of hyoglossus muscle

3. Inferiorly- greater horn of hyoid bone.

Sources

Stingl, J., Grim, M., & Druga, R. (2012). ''Regional anatomy''. Galen.

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