21 - Salivary glands and submandibular region

Question 1

What are the major salivary glands?

Answer 1

• parotid
• submandibular
• sublingual

Question 2

Where is the parotid located?

Answer 2

Anterior and inferior to the ear, over the angle of the mandible

Question 3

Where is the submandibular gland located?

Answer 3

Inferior the mylohyoid line, wraps around the posterior free edge of mylohyoid

Question 4

Where is the sublingual gland located?

Answer 4

Superior to mylohyoid line

Question 5

Describe the submandibular gland.

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

What type of secretion does the submandibular gland produce?

Answer 6

Mixed serous and mucus secretion

Question 7

Describe the submandibular ducts.

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

What is the blood supply to the submandibular gland?

Answer 8

Submental artery, branch of the facial artery

Question 9

What is the venous drainage of the submandibular gland?

Answer 9

Submental veins, drain to the lingual and facial veins

Question 10

Describe the sublingual gland.

Answer 10

• smallest of major salivary glands
• sits within the sublingual fossa of the mandible
• almond shaped
• no fascial capsule

Question 11

What type of secretions does the sublingual gland produce?

Answer 11

Mostly mucus secretions, some serous

Question 12

Describe the sublingual duct.

Answer 12

• ducts are numerous and drain into oral cavity via openings in the sublingual fold
• some duct empty into submandibular duct at the caruncle

Question 13

What is the blood supply of the sublingual gland?

Answer 13

Submental (branch of facial) and sublingual (branch of lingual) arteries

Question 14

What is the venous drainage of the sublingual gland?

Answer 14

Submental veins, drain to lingual and facial veins

Question 15

Describe the parasympathetic secreto-motor innervation of the sublingual and submandibular salivary glands.

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Describe the parasympathetic secreto-motor innervation of the parotid salivary glands.

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

What are the minor salivary glands?

Answer 17

• buccal
• palatine
• lingual
• labial

Question 18

What is the innervation of the minor salivary glands?

Answer 18

CN VII (above oral fissure) and CN V (below oral fissure)

Question 19

What are mucoceles?

Answer 19

Swelling due to blockage of associated ducts

Question 20

Describe the parasympathetic secreto-motor innervation of the minor salivary glands above the oral fissure.

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

Describe the parasympathetic secreto-motor innervation of the minor salivary glands below the oral fissure.

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

What is mumps?

Answer 22

• viral infection that causes swellings in the salivary glands, usually parotid
• can spread to other structures (meningitis)
• MMR vaccine protects against

Question 23

What are salivary stones?

Answer 23

• patient presents with pain, swelling, and lack of salivation
• build up in duct prevents flow of saliva
• common in submandibular duct
• best treated surgically

Question 24

What is ptyalism?

Answer 24

• excessive salivation
• occurs before vomiting
• associated with several diseases

Question 25

What are the borders of the submental triangle?

Answer 25

Anterior bellies of disgatric frame the triangle to the midline