Gland
Submandibular gland
A salivary gland spanning both sides of mylohyoid
High-yield
The lingual nerve usually crosses beneath the duct from lateral to medial. Branching and crossing patterns vary, so this relationship is an orientation rule rather than a guaranteed surgical landmark.
Overview
Most submandibular tissue lies below mylohyoid in the neck. A smaller part turns around the muscle's posterior edge into the oral floor. The duct then travels forward to a small opening beside the tongue's frenulum. The gland is mixed, with a predominance of serous secretory tissue.
Reference facts
- Location
- Submandibular triangle and floor of the mouth, connected around the free posterior mylohyoid border.
- Hormones
- An exocrine producer of mixed saliva; it commonly supplies the largest share of unstimulated salivary flow.
- Blood supply
- Facial/submental and lingual/sublingual branches; venous channels join facial and lingual drainage.
- Innervation
- VII parasympathetic fibers pass through chorda tympani and the lingual nerve to the submandibular ganglion. Sympathetic fibers arise from the superior cervical ganglion.
- Function
- Provides resting oral moisture and protective secretions through the submandibular duct, which opens at the sublingual caruncle.
Clinical correlation
The submandibular system is a common site of salivary stones. Obstruction can cause meal-related swelling and pain. Duct geometry and saliva composition may contribute, but stone formation has multiple causes. Nearby lingual, hypoglossal and marginal mandibular nerves matter during surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the submandibular gland located?
The submandibular gland lies submandibular triangle and floor of the mouth, connected around the free posterior mylohyoid border.
What does the submandibular gland secrete?
An exocrine producer of mixed saliva; it commonly supplies the largest share of unstimulated salivary flow.
What does the submandibular gland do?
Provides resting oral moisture and protective secretions through the submandibular duct, which opens at the sublingual caruncle.
What is the blood supply of the submandibular gland?
Facial/submental and lingual/sublingual branches; venous channels join facial and lingual drainage.