Sublingual Gland - Anatomy & Physiology

Overview

The sublingual salivary gland is a mixed gland producing both serous and mucous secretions. It is smaller than a parotid gland and consists of a monostomatic compact part drained by a single duct. It is located over the rostral mandibular gland in the dog. The duct runs with the mandibluar gland duct and opens at the sublingual caruncle. The sublingual gland consists of a polystomatic diffuse part drained by numerous smaller ducts. There is a thin strip below the mucosa of the floor of the oral cavity and the duct opens beside the frenulum.

The gland is a tubulo-acinar gland containing mucous cells that stain lighter. The serous gland demilunes stain darker. The demilunes secrete into the lumen by canaliculi between the mucous cells.

Species Differences

Ruminant and Pig Ruminants and pigs have more mucous than serous secretions.

Equine The diffuse part is the only part of the sublingual salivary gland present.

Sublingual Gland - Anatomy & Physiology Learning Resources
Vetstream To reach the Vetstream content, please select	Canis, Felis, Lapis or Equis
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Salivary Glands Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
PowerPoint Selection of relevant PowerPoint tutorials	Histology of the Oral cavity, see part 2 for salivary glands