Sublingual gland

The sublingual gland or sublingual gland is one of the three major salivary glands of mammals that produce saliva. The sublingual gland is in man a mixed but predominantly mucous secretion. In horses and predators it is also a mixed gland, at Paarhufern a purely mucous secretion is formed. As the name suggests, the gland is located beneath the tongue.

Structure

The sublingual gland is divided into two divisions.

Sublingual gland major

The major sublingual gland ( called with animals sublingual gland monostomatica ) is a compact package glands with a common excretory duct ( ductus sublingual major). This flows together with that of the submandibular gland on the Hungerwarze ( caruncle sublingual ), a small papilla at the side of the lingual frenulum. In horses, the compact division of the sublingual gland is missing.

Sublingual glands minores

The sublingual glands minores, called with animals sublingual gland polystomatica are scattered smaller glands packages. You have numerous excretory ducts, which open into the oral cavity bottom side of the tongue.

Innervation

The innervation of the sublingual gland is done by the vegetative nervous system. The parasympathetic nerve fibers originate from the chorda tympani, a branch of the seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve ). These fibers join the lingual nerve and thus reach the ganglion submandibular ( in animals ganglion mandibular called ) where they are switched. The postganglionic fibers pass then to the sublingual gland and also innervate the submandibular gland.

Diseases

The installation of the duct can cause a bubble-like ballooning of the oral mucosa ( ranula ).