Salivary Glands (Major)

Just to re-cap the confusing elements of the previous post, there are 3 major salivary glands.

1. Parotid
2. Submandibular
3. Sublingual. 

Parotid: 

• Lies anterioinferior to the ear. 
• The parotid duct pierces buccinator muscle and drains into the oral cavity proper opposite the secondary molar. 

Submandibular: 

• Lies Inferomedial to the mandible on the base of the mouth.   
• The ducts enter the cavity lateral to the lingual frenulum. 

Sublingual: 

• Is at the base of the tongue (inferior to it, but superior to the submandibular salivary gland). 
• The lesser sublingual ducts drain into the floor of the oral cavity. 

PPQ

"Distinguish between the locations of the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands"

The submandibular gland is located inferiorly and medially to the mandible bone. 

The sublingual gland is located at the base of the tongue. 

Both are inferior to the tongue, the submandibular is also inferior to the sublingual. 

The submandibular glands drain into the buccal cavity bilaterally to the lingual frenulum (fold of MM on the inferior surface of the tongue). 

The lesser sublingual ducts drain into the cavity at the floor of the mouth. 

Minor Salivary Glands

Mouth:

• Labial
• Buccal
• Palatine

Tongue: 

• Lingual (secretes lipase - lipids to simpler ones).