Salivary Glands

The salivary glands consist of: Parotid, Sublingual and Submandibular glands.

1. Parotid gland 2. Submandibular gland 3. Sublingual gland

Parotid Gland

• It is the largest of all three glands
• It is located on the anterior, lower half of the ear
• It has an excretory duct.
• Parasympathetic innervation is by glossopharyngeal nerve

Sublingual and Submandibular Gland

• They are mixed seromucous glands
• They have an excretory duct
• Parasympathetic innervation is by chorda tympani (from the superior salivatory nucleus) and a branch of the facial nerve (which synapses with the submandibular ganglion, follows the lingual nerve and leaves the lingual nerve when it is near to the glands

Sublingual Gland

• It is the smallest salivary gland
• It is almond-shaped
• It is lateral to the submandibular duct
• It is associated with the lingual nerve on the floor of the oral cavity
• The gland lies against the medial surface of the mandible, where it forms the sublingual fossa, lying superior to the anterior 1/3 of the mylohyoid gland

Submandibular gland

• It is on the medial side of the mandible in the submandibular fossa, which is inferior to the mylohyoid line
• The larger arm of the hook is directed forward in the horizontal plane; below the mylohyoid muscle
• The smaller arm loops around the posterior margin of the mylohyoid muscle

Links

Bibliography

SNELL, Richard S. Clinical Anatomy by Regions. 8th Edition edition. 2004. ISBN 978-0-7817-6404-9.