Anatomie chirurgicale de la loge submandibulaire

Submandibular fossa refers to an incompletely closed osteo-fascio-cutaneous space surrounded by the oral floor, supra- and infra-hyoid regions, carotid region and mandibular area. It is a prismatic triangle of which inferior-lateral wall constitutes the surgical approach. The mandible constitutes its superior-lateral wall and the medial muscular wall features neurovascular elements. Anterior and posterior walls correspond to both poles of the submandibular gland. The submandibular fossa includes essentially the submandibular gland and neurovascular elements (facial vessels, lingual veins, lingual and hypoglossus nerves, lingual artery). The surgical approach of submandibular fossa successively crosses skin, sub-cutaneous cellular tissue, SMAS, fat tissue and superficial layer of superficial cervical fascia featuring facial vein.