In the floor of the mouth, the lingual artery and the hypoglossal nerve have opposite relationships to hyoglossus. Which statement is correct?

• A Both pass deep to hyoglossus
• B Lingual artery passes superficial to hyoglossus, hypoglossal nerve passes deep to it
• C Lingual artery passes deep to hyoglossus, hypoglossal nerve passes superficial to it ✓
• D Both pass superficial to hyoglossus

Explanation

Hyoglossus is the key plane in the submandibular region. The lingual artery arises from the external carotid and passes deep to hyoglossus to reach the tongue, whereas the hypoglossal nerve, the lingual nerve and the submandibular duct all cross the lateral superficial surface of hyoglossus. This single fact resolves most exam questions on structures related to hyoglossus and explains why the artery cannot be seen in a superficial dissection until the muscle is reflected.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

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