Sublingual gland
Glandula sublingualis
The sublingual gland is the smallest major salivary gland and is mainly mucous. It lies under the mucosa of the floor of the mouth and drains through many small ducts.
Overview
The gland is almond-shaped and lies on mylohyoid in the floor of the mouth, between the sublingual fossa of the mandible and genioglossus. It raises a ridge of mucosa called the sublingual fold (plica sublingualis). About 8–20 small ducts (of Rivinus) open along this fold. Some anterior lobules may join to form a larger sublingual duct (of Bartholin) that opens with or into the submandibular duct at the sublingual caruncle. Its secretomotor supply is shared with the submandibular gland.
- Location
Floor of the mouth, beneath the sublingual fold, in front of the deep part of the submandibular gland.
Anatomy
- Innervation
Parasympathetic fibres via the chorda tympani (VII) → lingual nerve → submandibular ganglion. Sympathetic fibres via the facial and lingual arterial plexuses.
- Arterial supply
Sublingual artery (from the lingual artery) and submental artery (from the facial artery).
- Lymphatic drainage
Submandibular and submental nodes.
- Histology
Mainly mucous tubulo-acini with pale, foamy cytoplasm and flattened basal nuclei, some capped by serous demilunes. Striated ducts are short and few.
Function
- Contributes a small volume (about 5%) of mucin-rich saliva that lubricates the mouth.
- Secretions
Predominantly mucous saliva, with mucous acini and serous demilunes.
Clinical significance
Ranula
A bluish mucus-extravasation cyst in the floor of the mouth arising from the sublingual gland. A "plunging" ranula extends through or behind mylohyoid into the neck. Treatment includes excision of the gland.
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Digestive System sources. For education only; not medical advice.