Views of the Submandibular Area. A, Inferolateral view of the right submandibular area. The facial nerves run over the submandibular gland which lie on the digastric tendon. B, Enlarged view of the right submandibular triangle. The submandibular gland has been removed to expose the contents of the submandibular triangle. After passing between the mandibular ramus and the medial pterygoid muscle, the lingual nerve crosses the styloglossus muscle and runs between the hyoglossus and mylohyoid muscles above the deep part of the submandibular gland. C, Lateral view of the right infratemporal fossa. The lingual nerve courses down and forward between the mandibular ramus (removed) and medial pterygoid muscle, lying anterior and slightly deep to the inferior alveolar nerve. The sphenomandibular ligament is a flat, thin band descending from the sphenoidal spine and widening to reach the lingual of the mandibular foramen. D, Anterior view of the right infratemporal fossa. The lingual nerve is anterior and medial to the inferior alveolar nerve. The inferior alveolar nerve gives rise to the mylohyoid nerve before it enters the mandibular foramen. It then emerges in the submandibular triangle and supplies both mylohyoid and anterior belly of the digastric muscles. E, The angle of mandible has been removed. The mylohyoid nerve runs down and forward between the mandible and the medial pterygoid muscle and lodges in the mylohyoid groove. The buccal nerve emerges from the undersurface of the ramus of the mandible. (Images courtesy of AL Rhoton, Jr.)