Male Chin, Lateral View

Description

Seen in lateral profile, the male mentum (chin) projects anteriorly from the mandibular body, with the mental protuberance forming the most anterior contour and the mental tubercles flanking it inferiorly and laterally. Superior to the mentum, the labiomental sulcus marks the transition from the lower lip region toward the chin pad, while the inferior border of the mandible sweeps posteriorly toward the angle. Submental soft tissue sits inferior to the mandibular margin, defining the cervicomental contour. Lateral assessment of chin projection matters in facial analysis because it directly affects lower-third balance and occlusal appearance, and it guides whether the deficiency is skeletal (microgenia, mandibular retrognathia) or primarily soft-tissue. Surgeons and injectors often reference this profile when planning sliding genioplasty, alloplastic chin implants, or hyaluronic acid augmentation, aiming to correct an obtuse labiomental angle or an under-projected pogonion without over-advancing the inferior chin. Small changes read as large changes. This view makes that easy to teach. Use this illustration for head and neck anatomy courses, orthodontic and maxillofacial surgery texts, and aesthetic medicine materials that discuss profile analysis, genioplasty vectors, and patient counseling for chin augmentation or reduction. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.