Sublingual gland

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Sublingual Gland

The Sublingual Gland (pronunciation: sub-LING-gwul gland) is one of the three major salivary glands in the human body. The term "sublingual" comes from the Latin words "sub" meaning under and "lingua" meaning tongue, referring to the gland's location beneath the tongue.

Anatomy

The Sublingual Gland is the smallest of the three major salivary glands, the other two being the parotid gland and the submandibular gland. It is located in the anterior part of the floor of the mouth, beneath the tongue and superior to the mylohyoid muscle. The gland is almond-shaped and produces a mixed serous and mucous secretion.

Function

The primary function of the Sublingual Gland is the production of saliva, which aids in the initial stages of digestion, lubrication, and protection of the oral cavity. The saliva produced by the Sublingual Gland is predominantly mucous in nature, which helps in the lubrication of food.

Clinical Significance

Diseases of the Sublingual Gland are relatively rare due to its small size. However, conditions such as sialolithiasis (salivary gland stones), sialadenitis (inflammation of a salivary gland), and neoplasms can occur. Treatment of these conditions may involve medication, surgery, or other interventions.

Related Terms

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