The Salivary Glands

 The Salivary Glands

Parotid Gland

The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland and is composed mostly of serous acini. It lies in a deep hollow below the external auditory meatus, behind the ramus of the mandible and in front of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The facial nerve divides the gland into superficial and deep lobes. The parotid duct emerges from the anterior border of the gland and passes forward over the lateral surface of the masseter. It enters the vestibule of the mouth upon a small papilla opposite the upper second molar tooth

Nerve Supply- Parasympathetic secretomotor supply arises from the Glossopharyngeal nerve. The nerves reach the gland via the tympanic branch, the lesser petrosal nerve, the otic ganglion, and the auriculotemporal nerve.

Submandibular Gland

The submandibular gland consists of a mixture of serous and mucous acini. It lies beneath the lower border of the body of the mandible and is divided into superficial and deep parts by the mylohyoid muscle. The deep part of the gland lies beneath the mucous membrane of the mouth on the side of the tongue. The submandibular duct emerges from the anterior end of the deep part of the gland and runs forward beneath the mucous membrane of the mouth. It opens into the mouth on a small papilla, which is situated at the side of the frenulum of the tongue.

Nerve Supply- Parasympathetic secretomotor supply is from the facial nerve via the chorda tympani, and the submandibular ganglion. The postganglionic fibers pass directly to the gland.

Sublingual Gland

The sublingual gland lies beneath the mucous membrane (sublingual fold) of the floor of the mouth, close to the frenulum of the tongue. It has both serous and mucous acini, with the latter predominating. The sublingual ducts which are 8 to 20 in number open into the mouth on the summit of the sublingual fold.

Nerve Supply- Parasympathetic secretomotor supply is from the facial nerve via the chorda tympani, and the submandibular ganglion. Postganglionic fibers pass directly to the gland.