21 - Salivary glands and submandibular region Flashcards
What are the major salivary glands?
- parotid
- submandibular
- sublingual
Where is the parotid located?
Anterior and inferior to the ear, over the angle of the mandible
Where is the submandibular gland located?
Inferior the mylohyoid line, wraps around the posterior free edge of mylohyoid
Where is the sublingual gland located?
Superior to mylohyoid line
Describe the submandibular gland.
- 2 parts, superficial and deep
- superficial part is found inferior to the mylohyoid
- deep part loops around the free edge of the mylohyoid
- has fascial capsule continuous with deep investing cervical fascia
What type of secretion does the submandibular gland produce?
Mixed serous and mucus secretion
Describe the submandibular ducts.
- begin at the deep part of the gland between mylohyoid and hyoglossus
- approx 5cm long
- lingual nerve loops under duct
- ducts open into oral cavity at the sublingual caruncle at the base of the lingual frenulum
What is the blood supply to the submandibular gland?
Submental artery, branch of the facial artery
What is the venous drainage of the submandibular gland?
Submental veins, drain to the lingual and facial veins
Describe the sublingual gland.
- smallest of major salivary glands
- sits within the sublingual fossa of the mandible
- almond shaped
- no fascial capsule
What type of secretions does the sublingual gland produce?
Mostly mucus secretions, some serous
Describe the sublingual duct.
- ducts are numerous and drain into oral cavity via openings in the sublingual fold
- some duct empty into submandibular duct at the caruncle
What is the blood supply of the sublingual gland?
Submental (branch of facial) and sublingual (branch of lingual) arteries
What is the venous drainage of the sublingual gland?
Submental veins, drain to lingual and facial veins
Describe the parasympathetic secreto-motor innervation of the sublingual and submandibular salivary glands.
- preganglionic fibres travel from the chorda tympani to the submandibular ganglion (located around the styloglossus)
- postganglionic fibres travel in the lingual nerve to gland or directly to the glands
Describe the parasympathetic secreto-motor innervation of the parotid salivary glands.
- preganglionic fibres travel from the glossopharyngeal nerve to the otic ganglion (located around CN V3)
- postganglionic fibres travel in the auriculotemporal nerve to the gland
What are the minor salivary glands?
- buccal
- palatine
- lingual
- labial
What is the innervation of the minor salivary glands?
CN VII (above oral fissure) and CN V (below oral fissure)
What are mucoceles?
Swelling due to blockage of associated ducts
Describe the parasympathetic secreto-motor innervation of the minor salivary glands above the oral fissure.
- preganglionic fibres travel from the greater petrosal nerve to the pterygopalatine ganglion (located in the pterygopalatine fossa)
- postganglionic fibres travel in the palatine nerve to the palate
Describe the parasympathetic secreto-motor innervation of the minor salivary glands below the oral fissure.
- preganglionic fibres travel from the chorda tympani to the submandibular ganglion (located around the styloglossus)
- postganglionic fibres travel in the lingual nerve to gland or directly to the glands
What is mumps?
- viral infection that causes swellings in the salivary glands, usually parotid
- can spread to other structures (meningitis)
- MMR vaccine protects against
What are salivary stones?
- patient presents with pain, swelling, and lack of salivation
- build up in duct prevents flow of saliva
- common in submandibular duct
- best treated surgically
What is ptyalism?
- excessive salivation
- occurs before vomiting
- associated with several diseases
What are the borders of the submental triangle?
Anterior bellies of disgatric frame the triangle to the midline
