Medical expert of the article
New publications
Small salivary glands
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
There are mucous, serous and mixed small salivary glands that lie singly and in groups in the submucosa, in the thickness of the mucous membrane and between the muscle fibers in the oral cavity of the oropharynx, the upper respiratory tract. They are clusters of glandular cells forming the parenchyma, consisting of lobules separated by a connective tissue. Numerous excretory ducts perforate the mucous membrane and pour out their secret.
The largest clusters of lingual glands (anterior lingual gland) are located on either side of the tip of the tongue. The outlet ducts open on the lower surface of the tongue along the fringe fold. The part can be located deep in the muscles of the back of the tongue and open in the folds of leaf-shaped papillae. In the area of the lingual tonsil, the small salivary glands are located under the mucous membrane with a layer of 4-8 mm and can extend to the epiglottis. Their ducts open into the indentations in the middle of the follicles and around them. Serous glands in the region of the grooved and leaf-shaped papillae of the tongue open into the folds between the papillae and into the grooves surrounding the grooved papillae.
The labial small salivary glands are located in the submucosa layer, have a rounded shape, the size is up to 5 mm. The cheek glands are found in a small number in the submucosa and between the muscular tufts of the buccal muscle. Small salivary glands of the cheeks, located in the region of the last large molar (molar), are called molar. Between the mucous membrane of the palate and the periosteum is a thin layer of mucous membranes of the palatine glands filling the space between the bony palate and the alveolar processes. The glandular layer thickens towards the soft palate and passes into the soft palate, the pharyngeal glands located in the mucous membrane lie in the submucosa of the pharynx and open on the mucous membrane.
Nasal small salivary glands of mucous nature lie in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
The accumulation of mucous laryngeal glands is present throughout the larynx, especially in the area of the ventricles of the larynx, on the posterior surface of the epiglottis and in the inter-capitate area. They are absent at the edges of the vocal folds.
In the submucosal layer, the mucous small salivary glands of these organs lie predominantly in the submucosal layer in the interchondral spaces and in the membranous part of the trachea and bronchi and in a smaller quantity behind the cartilages.
[