Structure
The sublingual gland is the smallest of the named salivary glands. It lies in the floor of the mouth near the midline, covered by mucosa and lying on the mylohyoid. The mandible is lateral and the genioglossus is medial. Unlike the other major salivary glands, the sublingual gland has numerous small ducts which empty either into the floor of the mouth or into the submandibular duct.
Neurovascular Supply
Arterial Supply
The sublingual branch of the lingual artery and submental branch of the facial artery contribute to the supply of the sublingual gland.
Venous Drainage
Either accompanying sublingual veins to the common facial vein or passing laterally to the facial vein.
Lymphatics
The sublingual gland drains primarily to submental nodes.
Innervation
Innervation is via the submandibular ganglion, described with the submandibular salivary gland. Nerves passing to the sublingual gland leave the ganglion and region the lingual nerve, before departing again to supply their target organ.
Routes of Cancer Spread
Malignancy of the sublingual glands is exceptionally rare (less than 1% of all salivary gland tumours).