Submandibular Gland Flashcards

Examine the submandibular gland's superficial and deep parts, duct anatomy, muscular relations, secretory tissue, and autonomic innervation.

Card 1 of 30Question

Where is the submandibular gland primarily located?

In the submandibular triangle, beneath the body of the mandible.

In This Section

1. Where is the submandibular gland primarily located?

In the submandibular triangle, beneath the body of the mandible.

2. What are the two anatomical parts of the submandibular gland?

A larger superficial part and a smaller deep part.

3. Which muscle separates the superficial and deep parts of the submandibular gland?

The mylohyoid muscle.

4. How are the superficial and deep parts of the submandibular gland connected?

They are continuous around the posterior free border of the mylohyoid muscle.

5. Which fascial layer forms the capsule around the superficial part of the submandibular gland?

The investing layer of the deep cervical fascia.

6. Which muscles lie deep to the superficial part of the submandibular gland?

The mylohyoid, hyoglossus, and styloglossus muscles.

7. What is the relationship of the deep part of the submandibular gland to the hyoglossus muscle?

It lies lateral to the hyoglossus muscle in the floor of the mouth.

8. What is the name of the main excretory duct of the submandibular gland?

The submandibular duct, also called Wharton's duct.

9. From which part of the submandibular gland does Wharton's duct arise?

The deep part of the gland.

10. What is the course of the submandibular duct through the floor of the mouth?

It runs anteriorly between the mylohyoid and hyoglossus or genioglossus muscles, medial to the sublingual gland.

11. Where does the submandibular duct open into the oral cavity?

At the sublingual caruncle beside the lingual frenulum.

12. What is the anatomical relationship between the lingual nerve and the submandibular duct?

The lingual nerve loops inferior to the duct, passing from its lateral to medial side.

13. Which cranial nerve provides preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular gland?

The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII).

14. Which branch of the facial nerve carries secretomotor fibers destined for the submandibular gland?

The chorda tympani nerve.

15. Which nerve carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular ganglion?

The lingual nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

16. Where is the submandibular ganglion located?

Suspended from the lingual nerve on the lateral surface of the hyoglossus muscle.

17. Where do parasympathetic fibers supplying the submandibular gland synapse?

In the submandibular ganglion.

18. How do postganglionic parasympathetic fibers reach the submandibular gland?

Through direct glandular branches arising from the submandibular ganglion.

19. What is the sympathetic source of innervation to the submandibular gland?

The superior cervical ganglion, with postganglionic fibers traveling along arterial plexuses.

20. Which arteries primarily supply the submandibular gland?

The facial artery and branches of the lingual artery.

21. What is the relationship of the facial artery to the submandibular gland?

It grooves or passes through the posterior aspect of the gland before crossing the inferior border of the mandible.

22. Where does venous blood from the submandibular gland primarily drain?

Into tributaries of the facial and lingual veins.

23. Which lymph nodes primarily receive lymphatic drainage from the submandibular gland?

The submandibular lymph nodes, followed by the deep cervical lymph nodes.

24. What type of secretion does the submandibular gland produce?

Mixed serous and mucous saliva, with serous secretion predominating.

25. What is the principal histological difference between the submandibular and parotid glands?

The submandibular gland contains both serous and mucous secretory units, while the parotid is almost entirely serous.

26. Which salivary gland produces the largest proportion of unstimulated saliva?

The submandibular gland.

27. Why are salivary stones particularly common in the submandibular gland?

Its relatively viscous, mineral-rich saliva and long duct with an upward drainage course favor stone formation.

28. What is sialolithiasis?

The formation of a salivary calculus within a salivary gland or its excretory duct.

29. Which nerves are particularly vulnerable during surgical removal of the submandibular gland?

The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve, lingual nerve, and hypoglossal nerve.

30. What anatomical relationship makes the marginal mandibular nerve vulnerable during submandibular gland surgery?

It courses near the inferior border of the mandible, superficial to the submandibular region.