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The minor salivary glands
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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There are mucous, serous and mixed minor salivary glands, which are located singly and in groups in the submucous layer, in the thickness of the mucous membrane and between muscle fibers in the oral cavity, oropharynx, and upper respiratory tract. They are clusters of glandular cells that form a parenchyma consisting of lobules separated by connective tissue. Numerous excretory ducts pierce the mucous membrane and pour out their secretion.
The largest clusters of lingual glands (anterior lingual gland) are located on either side of the tip of the tongue. The excretory ducts open on the underside of the tongue along the fimbriate fold. Some may be located deep in the muscles of the back of the body of the tongue and open in the folds of the foliate papillae. In the area of the lingual tonsil, the minor 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 depressions in the middle of the follicles and around them. The serous glands in the area of the circumvallate and foliate papillae of the tongue open into the folds between the papillae and into the grooves surrounding the circumvallate papillae.
Labial minor salivary glands are located in the submucosal layer, have a round shape, and are up to 5 mm in size. A small number of buccal glands are located in the submucosal layer and between the muscle bundles of the buccal muscle. The minor salivary glands of the cheek, located in the area of the last molar, are called molar. Between the mucous membrane of the palate and the periosteum there is a thin layer of mucous palatine glands, filling the space between the bony palate and the alveolar processes. The layer of glands thickens towards the soft palate and passes into the soft palate, the pharyngeal glands located in the mucous membrane are located in the submucosal layer of the pharynx and open on the mucous membrane.
The nasal minor salivary glands are mucous in nature and are located in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
The accumulation of mucous laryngeal glands is present throughout the larynx, especially in the region of the laryngeal ventricles, on the posterior surface of the epiglottis and in the interarytenoid region. They are absent from the edges of the vocal folds.
The mucous minor salivary glands of these organs are located predominantly in the submucosal layer in the area of the intercartilaginous spaces and the membranous part of the trachea and bronchi and in smaller quantities behind the cartilages).
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