Salivary Glands

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

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
Sublingual 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


 * 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