Sublingual gland

2025-08-19T04:08:48Z

2601:241:8C00:3B50:5111:D119:2E65:179: /* Structure */

{{Short description|Major salivary glands in the mouth}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name = Sublingual gland
| Latin = glandula sublingualis
| Greek =
| Image = Blausen 0780 SalivaryGlands.png
| Caption = [[Salivary glands]]
| Width =
| Image2 = Illu_quiz_hn_02.jpg
| Caption2 = [[Salivary glands]]: #1 is [[parotid gland]], #2 is [[submandibular gland]], #3 is sublingual gland
| Precursor =
| System = [[Digestion|Digestive system]]
| Artery = [[Sublingual artery]] (branch of [[lingual artery]] of [[external carotid artery]])
| Vein =
| Nerve = [[Submandibular ganglion]]
| Lymph = [[Submandibular lymph nodes]]
| PartOf = [[Salivary gland]]s
| Location = [[Mouth]]
}}
The '''sublingual gland''' (''glandula sublingualis'') is a seromucous polystomatic [[exocrine gland]]. Located underneath the oral diaphragm (''diaphragma oris''), the sublingual gland is the smallest and most diffuse of the three major salivary glands of the oral cavity, with the other two being the [[Submandibular gland|submandibular]] and [[Parotid gland|parotid]]. The sublingual gland provides approximately 3-5% of the total salivary volume.<ref>Fehrenbach, MJ and Popowics, T. (2026). ''Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy'', 6th edition, Elsevier, page 153.</ref>

==Structure==
The sublingual glands are located anterior and superior to the [[submandibular gland]] and inferior and lateral to the [[tongue]], as well as inferior to the [[mucous membrane]] of the floor of the mouth. They are bound laterally by the bone of the mandible and inferolaterally by the [[mylohyoid muscle]]. The glands can be palpated posteriorly to each mandibular canine. Placing one index finger within the mouth and the fingertips of the opposite hand outside it, the compressed gland is manually palpated between the inner and outer fingers.{{clarification needed|date=June 2019}}<ref name=IAotHaH>Illustrated Anatomy of the Head and Neck, Fehrenbach and Herring, Elsevier, 2012, p. 156</ref>

The sublingual gland is constituted by 1 major duct and approximately 20 small excretory ducts, with the latter often being referred to as ''ducts of Rivinus''.<ref name=":1">Ten Cate's Oral Histology, Nanci, Elsevier, 2013, page 255</ref> The largest of all, the [[sublingual duct]] (of Bartholin) joins the submandibular duct to drain through the [[sublingual caruncle]]. The sublingual caruncle is a small papilla near the midline of the floor of the mouth on each side of the lingual frenum.<ref name="IAotHaH" /> Most of the remaining small sublingual ducts (of Rivinus) open separate into the mouth on an elevated crest of mucous membrane, the [[plica sublingualis]] (aka ''sublingual fold''), formed by the gland and located on either side of the [[frenulum linguae]]. [[file: Sobo 1906 350.png|thumb|270px|Drawing of an open mouth showing the frenulum linguae and surrounding structures]]

===Microanatomy===
The sublingual gland consists mostly of mucous acini having [[serous demilunes]] and is therefore categorized as a mixed mucous gland with mostly a mucous product. [[Striated duct|Striated]] and [[intercalated duct|intercalated]] ducts are also present.<ref>Fehrenbach, MJ and Popowics, T. (2026). ''Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy'', 6th edition, Elsevier, page 153.</ref>

===Blood supply===
The gland receives its blood supply from the sublingual and submental arteries.<ref name=":1" /> Lymph from the sublingual salivary gland drains into the [[submandibular lymph nodes]].<ref name="IAotHaH" />

===Nerve supply===
The [[chorda tympani]] nerve (from the [[facial nerve]] via the [[submandibular ganglion]]) is [[secretomotor]] and provides parasympathetic supply to the sublingual glands. The path of the nerve is as follows: junction between [[pons]] and [[medulla oblongata|medulla]], through [[internal acoustic meatus]] and [[facial canal]] to [[chorda tympani]], through middle ear cavity, out petrotympanic fissure to join the [[lingual nerve]], travels with lingual nerve to synapse at the [[submandibular ganglion]], then [[postganglionic]] fibers travels to the sublingual gland.

===Development===
The sublingual salivary glands appear in the eighth week of prenatal development, two weeks later than the other two major salivary glands. They develop from [[epithelium|epithelial]] buds in the sulcus surrounding the sublingual folds on the floor of the mouth, lateral to the developing submandibular gland. These buds branch and form into cords that canalize to form the sublingual ducts associated with the gland. The rounded terminal ends of the cords form [[acinus|acini]]. <ref>Fehrenbach, MJ and Popowics, T. (2026). ''Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy'', 6th edition, Elsevier, pages 154-55.</ref>

==Clinical significance==
{{See also|Salivary gland disease}}
[[Ranula]]s are the most common pathologic lesion associated with the sublingual glands.<ref name="Hupp 2008">{{cite book|vauthors=Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR |title=Contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery|url=https://archive.org/details/contemporaryoral00hupp |url-access=limited |year=2008|publisher=Mosby Elsevier|location=St. Louis, Mo.|isbn=9780323049030|pages=[https://archive.org/details/contemporaryoral00hupp/page/n422 410]–411|edition=5th}}</ref>

==Additional images==
<gallery>
Gray1024.png | Imaging showing the sublingual glands and surrounding structures.
Image:Gray177.png|Mandible. Inner surface. Side view.
File:Slide1vv.JPG|Sublingual gland
File:Slide4ww.JPG|Sublingual gland
File:Slide14ww.JPG|Sublingual gland
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|34|st|07|01}} - "Oral Cavity: Glands"
* {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|VII}})
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tk.de/rochelexikon/pics/s25420.000-1.html|title=Anatomy diagram: 25420.000-1|work= Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator|publisher= Elsevier|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226040726/http://www.tk.de/rochelexikon/pics/s25420.000-1.html|archivedate=2015-02-26}}
* [https://www.medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001041.htm Salivary gland infections] from [[Medline Plus]]
* [http://www.cancer.org/cancer/salivaryglandcancer/detailedguide/salivary-gland-cancer-what-is-salivary-gland-cancer Salivary gland cancer] from [[American Cancer Society]]

{{Mouth anatomy}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Glands of mouth]]
[[Category:Otorhinolaryngology]]

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Sublingual gland