Salivary glands - structure, syntopy, innervation

*1. Minor Salivary Glands:*

- These are small clusters of glandular tissue located in the mucosa of the lips, cheeks, tongue, and palate.

- Function: Moistens the oral mucosa.

*2. Major Salivary Glands:*

1. Parotid Gland:

- Structure: Largest salivary gland, purely serous, enclosed in parotid fascia. Divided into superficial and deep parts by the facial nerve. It extends superiorly beyond the zygomatic arch and inferiorly beyond the angle of the mandible.

- Syntopy: The parotid gland surrounds the temporomandibular joint and occupies the parotid bed, lying between the ramus of the mandible, styloid, and mastoid processes of the temporal bone.

- Vasculature: Arterial supply from the posterior auricular and superficial temporal arteries (branches of the external carotid artery). Venous drainage via the retromandibular vein.

- Innervation: Sensory via the auriculotemporal and great auricular nerves; parasympathetic innervation via the glossopharyngeal nerve; sympathetic innervation via the superior cervical ganglion.

- Clinical Relevance: Contains critical neurovascular structures (facial nerve, external carotid artery, retromandibular vein), important in parotid surgery.

2. Submandibular Gland:

- Structure: Second largest, predominantly serous. Consists of two arms (superficial and deep) relative to the mylohyoid muscle. The submandibular duct (Wharton’s duct) carries the gland’s secretions and opens into the sublingual caruncle.

- Syntopy: Shares close anatomical relations with the lingual, hypoglossal, and facial nerves (marginal mandibular branch).

- Vasculature: Arterial supply from the submental and sublingual arteries. Venous drainage via the facial and sublingual veins into the internal jugular vein.

- Innervation: Parasympathetic innervation via the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve; sympathetic innervation via the superior cervical ganglion.

3. Sublingual Gland:

- Structure: Smallest salivary gland, predominantly mucous, located on the floor of the mouth between the mandible and the genioglossus muscle. Produces the sublingual fold and opens into the sublingual caruncle.

- Syntopy: The submandibular duct and lingual nerve pass medially to the sublingual gland. The two sublingual glands unite anteriorly to form a horseshoe shape around the lingual frenulum, contributing to the sublingual fold.

- Vasculature: Arterial supply from the sublingual and submental arteries. Venous drainage via the sublingual and submental veins into the internal jugular vein.

- Innervation: Parasympathetic innervation via the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve; sympathetic innervation via the superior cervical ganglion.

Conclusion:

Discuss the structure, syntopy, vasculature, and innervation of the salivary glands, emphasizing their clinical relevance, particularly in surgical interventions and their neurovascular relations