Submental artery

The Submental artery is a small artery that starts from the facial artery. The submental artery supplies the facial muscles with blood and is jointly responsible for brain function through its connection with larger arteries that flow into the brain.

What is the submental artery?

Arteries are generally vital blood vessels through which blood flows to the organs. The submental artery is a branch of the facial artery (arteria facialis), which opens into the arteria carotis externa (external carotid artery).

The submental artery (sub-chin artery) is located close to the lower jawbone and ensures its blood flow and function. This artery is naturally present in everyone's body and does not arise from new blood vessels as a result of a specific disease.

Anatomy & structure

Since the submental artery is not an independent organ or blood vessel, but only a part of a larger artery (arteria facialis), the original artery must be pointed out when searching for the anatomical definition. The submental artery is located on the lower jaw bone. The lower jaw bone is a part of the skull bone.

The submental artery has two branches (ramus superficalis and ramus profundus) through which it branches. The wall of an artery is made up of three layers. The inner layer is the tunica intima, which consists of endothelium (a specific type of flat cell) and connective tissue. The outer layer consists of connective tissue. Between the two lies the middle layer of muscles. An elastic membrane ensures that the artery is still flexible. The facial artery is connected in an oblique direction up to the brain with the external carotid artery, which in turn opens into the cerebral artery.

Function & tasks

The submental artery supplies blood to the lower jaw and thus contributes to the function of the masticatory muscles and thus to the first step in food intake and digestion. The lower jaw is the part of the jaw that moves when the four muscles of mastication work together. Arteries are blood vessels that supply the organs with oxygen through the blood supply and thus keep them alive.

With each heartbeat, the blood reaches the organs and tissues via the arteries. Organs are also connected to surrounding muscles and nerves through the arteries, or they are jointly supplied with oxygen. Arteries (arteries) carry the blood away from the heart to ensure the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Since the submental artery also leads to the cerebral arteries, the submental artery also ensures blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. Arteries also play an important role in the immune system, as the antibody cells that render pathogens harmless are transported via the bloodstream.

Toxins that are absorbed through the air we breathe or through food are disposed of by being transported from the relevant organ to the liver. The healing substances in food and medication are also absorbed into the body through the arteries. A healthy and steady arterial pressure ensures adequate speed in blood flow. All arteries, and thus their branches, are involved in this process.

Diseases

Here, too, diseases must be mentioned that generally result from damage to an artery, since the function of the submental artery does not differ from the function of other arteries. As with any artery, the submental artery is at risk of calcification over the course of life.

Thromboses can also develop in this area. If the submental artery is calcified, the carotid artery can also be calcified. If blood clots (thromboses) are not treated, they can, as with any other artery, cause blood vessel blockage. Depending on the severity of the failure of the surrounding nerves, this can lead to slight sensitivity disturbances up to paralysis of the facial muscles or to strokes. Strokes, in turn, can cause permanent brain damage, restricted mobility, or even death. Certain forms of dementia can also occur due to vascular damage in the brain. Cells from metastatic cancers can also be transported to other organs via the arteries.

The same risk factors for constriction apply as for other arteries, such as smoking, high blood pressure, lipid metabolism disorders, diabetes or age. The diseases mentioned can also result in damage to the blood vessels. With a thrombosis, the inflammation of the arterial wall can cause pain and tears in the affected area of ​​the body. Sometimes drugs can also cause hardening of the arteries. In general, constrictions of large arteries (e.g. the carotid artery) can be detected on ultrasound.

A healthy diet and sufficient exercise can prevent vasoconstriction. The optimal setting of high blood pressure and blood sugar levels in diabetes are of great importance for protecting the arteries. Sometimes blood thinners are also needed to prevent the blood from clumping together and causing thrombosis in the arteries. If constrictions have already occurred, they usually cannot be reversed and do not improve on their own.

In some cases, as an interim solution, a stent is inserted into the narrowed blood vessel to expand it. The progression of the aging process and an assessment of the remaining life expectancy of a person can be recognized by the nature of their blood vessels.