Submandibular gland

The submandibular glands are paired salivary glands located situated behind and below the floorramus of the mouthmandible. They secrete saliva that is excreted into the oral cavity via the submandibular duct that connects the gland to the floor of the mouth.

Its lower superficial lobe continues as smaller deep lobe by wrapping around the posterior border of the mylohyoid. Superficial lobe of the submandibular gland is in the submandibular space and deep lobe is situated in the sublingual space where it can be palpated intra orally.  Posteriorly it is separated from parotid gland by stylomandibular ligament.

Cervical branch of the facial nerve and facial vein are its superficial relations to the inferior surface of the superficial lobe. The facial artery grooves posterosuperiorly to the gland and descend to the inferior border of the mandible, where it can be palpated, and to ascend in front of the masseter.

The deep part the gland extends forwards and lies between mylohyoid inferolaterally, hyoglossus and styloglossus medially.

Submandibular gland secretes mixed serous and mucinous secretions.

The submandibular (Wharton's) duct is about 5cm long and commences as numerous tributaries from the superficial lobe.  Then it runs through the deep lobe to emerge from the anterior aspect of it. The duct angles sharply at the free edge of the mylohyoid before running forward with lingual nerve and vein and hypoglossal nerve. It opens into the sublingual papilla at the side of the frenulum of the tongue.

It is encapsulated during development and does not normally contain lymph nodes. There is a fibrous capsule surrounding the gland, formed by the split layers of the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia.

Related pathology

• sialolithiasis (Stones inside the ducts or parenchyma of salivary glands)