Classification of Salivary Glands
All salivary glands (glandulae salivariae) are classified by size and location. They are generally divided into major salivary glands, which are large independent anatomical structures, and minor salivary glands, which are integrated into the mucous membrane of various parts of the oral cavity. This division helps to systematize knowledge about the topography, innervation pathways, and vascular bed of each organ.
Major Salivary Glands
This group includes three pairs of large glands. Pay attention to the specifics of their location, vascular supply, and innervation, as documented in basic anatomical data.
Parotid Gland (glandula parotidea)
By its structure, it is a compound alveolar gland. It is located anteriorly and inferiorly to the auricle. Its main excretory duct, called ductus parotideus, opens directly into the vestibule of the mouth.
- Innervation: provided via the chorda tympani (a branch of the facial nerve, n. facialis) with the participation of the ganglion submandibulare, as well as sympathetic nerve fibers accompanying the facial artery (a. facialis).
- Blood Supply: provided by the sublingual and submental arteries (aa. sublinguales, submentalis) branching from the a. facialis. Venous outflow occurs via the sublingual vein (v. sublingualis).
- Lymphatic Drainage: lymph from the gland drains into the submandibular and submental lymph nodes (nodi lymphatici submandibulares et submentales). In the region of the gland, nodi lymphatici occipitales, parotidei, submandibulares, and cervicales profundi are also distinguished.
Submandibular Gland (glandula submandibularis)
This gland is characterized by a mixed type of secretion and is localized in the submandibular fossa.
- Blood Supply: receives blood from the glandular branches of the facial artery (rr. glandulares a. facialis), as well as from the lingual and mental arteries (a. lingualis et a. mentalis). Venous blood drains via the facial vein (v. facialis).
- Lymphatic Drainage: lymphatic vessels drain into the nodi lymphatici submandibulares.
- Innervation: similarly to the parotid gland, it is innervated from the chorda tympani through the ganglion submandibulare and sympathetic nerves along the a. facialis.
Sublingual Gland (glandula sublingualis)
Topographically, this gland lies beneath the mucous membrane of the floor of the oral cavity. A distinctive feature is the presence of multiple small excretory ducts, named ductus sublinguales minores.
- Innervation: provided by the parotid branches of the auriculotemporal nerve (rr. parotidei n. auriculotemporalis, a branch of n. mandibularis). Secretory fibers come from the otic ganglion (ganglion oticum), while sympathetic nerves accompany the superficial temporal artery (a. temporalis superficialis).
- Blood Supply: provided by branches of the superficial temporal and maxillary arteries (rr. parotidei aa. temporales superficialis et maxillaris). Venous outflow proceeds via the retromandibular vein (v. retromandibularis).
- Lymphatic Drainage: directed into the submandibular nodes (nodi lymphatici submandibulares).
Minor Salivary Glands
In addition to large paired organs, numerous minor salivary glands function in the oral cavity. They lack such large isolated excretory ducts and are located within the thickness of the mucous membrane of various oral structures. Depending on their location, minor glands are divided into the following groups:
- Labial glands — glandulae labiales;
- Buccal glands — glandulae buccales;
- Lingual glands — glandulae linguales;
- Palatine glands — glandulae palatinae.
All these small glandular structures make an important contribution to the continuous moistening of the oral mucosa.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
At the level of which tooth does the excretory duct of the parotid salivary gland (ductus parotideus) open?
The orifice of the excretory duct of the parotid salivary gland (ductus parotideus) is indicated in sources at different levels: at the level of the second upper molar (S2, S3) and the first upper molar (S4).
What is the main excretory duct of the submandibular salivary gland called, and where does it open?
The main excretory duct of the submandibular salivary gland is called the submandibular, or Wharton's, duct (ductus submandibularis).
It passes between the mylohyoid and hyoglossus muscles and opens on the floor of the oral cavity. The site of its opening is the sublingual caruncle (caruncula sublingualis), which is located medially at the middle of the body of the mandible, lateral to the lingual frenulum and posterior to the lower incisors.
Which nerves provide parasympathetic innervation to the parotid salivary gland?
Parasympathetic innervation of the parotid salivary gland is provided by secretory fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve (n. glossopharyngeus, cranial nerve IX).
Preganglionic fibers run as part of the tympanic nerve and its continuation — the lesser petrosal nerve (n. petrosus minor). They synapse in the otic ganglion (ganglion oticum), from where postganglionic fibers proceed to the gland.
One of the sources also indicates that innervation is provided by a branch of the facial nerve — the chorda tympani (chorda tympani) via the submandibular ganglion (ganglion submandibulare).
What are the excretory ducts of the sublingual salivary gland called?
The excretory ducts of the sublingual salivary gland are divided into one major and multiple minor ones.
- Major sublingual duct (Bartholin's duct) — opens at the sublingual caruncle (caruncula sublingualis) on the floor of the oral cavity or joins the terminal part of the submandibular duct.
- Minor sublingual ducts (ductus sublinguales minores) — small ducts that open independently on the sublingual folds (plicae sublinguales), running laterally from the lingual frenulum.
What type of secretion (by saliva composition) is characteristic of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands?
The parotid gland secretes a serous, or purely proteinaceous, secretion. The submandibular gland has a mixed type of secretion. Regarding the sublingual gland, sources diverge: in one it is indicated as mixed, in another as producing a mucous secretion.
In which topographical triangle of the neck is the submandibular salivary gland located?
The submandibular salivary gland is located in the submandibular triangle of the neck (trigonum submandibulare), belonging to the suprahyoid region of the anterior triangle of the neck. Boundaries of the triangle: superiorly — the lower margin of the mandible; anteriorly — the anterior belly of the digastric muscle; posteriorly — the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. The gland lies in the submandibular fossa.
Class and exam questions
Where does the excretory duct of the parotid salivary gland open?
The excretory duct of the parotid gland (ductus parotideus) opens into the oral vestibule.
What type of secretion is characteristic of the submandibular gland?
The submandibular gland (glandula submandibularis) has a mixed type of secretion.
What are the names of the ducts of the sublingual salivary gland?
The sublingual gland has multiple small excretory ducts called ductus sublinguales minores.
What minor salivary glands exist?
The minor salivary glands include the labial, buccal, lingual, and palatine glands (glandulae labiales, buccales, linguales, palatinae).
What else to study on this topic
- Course and branching of the facial nerve (n. facialis) and its branch chorda tympani
- Anatomy of the submandibular (ganglion submandibulare) and otic (ganglion oticum) autonomic ganglia
- Basin of the facial artery (a. facialis) and its branches
- Topography of the deep cervical, occipital, and submandibular lymph nodes
- Sympathetic innervation of the head along blood vessels
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