RESUMO
The authors performed cadaveric dissections to investigate the existence of an anatomical structure creating and maintaining the cervical mental angle, aiming to understand the anatomical bases of the cervico-mental angle and its modifications over time. Six fresh cadaver dissections were performed; four were done in the Caen University anatomy laboratory one in Paris XV University and one in the Coventry University hospital, England. At the end of this investigation, the authors were able to demonstrate the existence of an anatomical structure in the neck, the cervico-mental angle suspensory ligament. This ligament that fixates the platysma and skin to deeper structures originated from the second branchial arch and seems to play a key role in the formation of the cervico-mental angle and in the anatomical alterations in the ageing process. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
