Knowing the exact size and where the submandibular gland is located is key for doctors to make accurate diagnoses. We will look at the important landmarks and normal sizes of this gland.
The submandibular gland is a major salivary gland found under the jaw in the submandibular triangle. It helps make saliva that is both watery and thick, which is important for chewing. In adults, this gland is usually about 27 mm long and 14.3 mm wide.
Key Takeaways
- The submandibular gland is a major paired salivary gland.
- It is located beneath the mandible in the submandibular triangle.
- The normal size is approximately 27 mm in length and 14.3 mm in width.
- Understanding its size and location is vital for clinical diagnosis.
- The gland produces mixed serous and mucous salivary secretions.
Understanding the Submandibular Gland Anatomy
Knowing the anatomy of the submandibular gland is key to spotting its normal size and spot. The submandibular glad or glandula submandibular is vital for our mouth health. It makes a big part of our saliva.
The gland has a big superficial lobe and a small deep lobe. These are split by the mylohyoid muscle. Knowing this helps us understand its structure and how it works. For more details, check out TeachMeAnatomy. It offers deep insights into its anatomy and related landmarks.
Normal Size and Dimensions
The adult submandibular gland is about 27 mm long and 14.3 mm wide. These sizes can change a bit from person to person. But they help us know when something’s off.
| Dimension | Average Measurement (mm) |
| Length | 27 |
| Width | 14.3 |
Structure and Lobes
The gland has a big superficial lobe and a small deep lobe. The mylohyoid muscle splits them. The superficial lobe is bigger and easier to feel during a check-up. The deep lobe is smaller and behind the mylohyoid muscle.
Understanding the submandibular gland’s anatomy helps doctors spot problems. It also shows how important it is for making saliva.
Locating the Submental Gland in the Submandibular Triangle
The submandibular triangle is key to finding the submandibular gland. It has clear boundaries that help spot the gland’s spot.
Key Anatomical Landmarks
The submandibular gland is in the front part of the submandibular triangle. Knowing the triangle’s edges is vital for finding the gland. The edges are the lower jaw, the front part of the digastric muscle, and the back part of the digastric muscle.
The gland is below and behind the jaw and between the digastric muscle’s parts.
Key Landmarks to Identify:
- The inferior border of the mandible
- The anterior belly of the digastric muscle
- The posterior belly of the digastric muscle
Palpation Techniques for Identification
To find the submandibular gland, use special touch methods. Gently touch the submandibular triangle area to feel the gland. It feels soft and moves under the jaw.
Palpation Steps:
- Put your fingers below the mandible in the submandibular triangle area.
- Gently press upwards and backwards to feel the gland.
- Ask the patient to swallow; the gland should move upwards during swallowing.
| Landmark | Description | Importance |
| Inferior border of the mandible | The lower edge of the jawbone | Defines the upper boundary of the submandibular triangle |
| Anterior belly of the digastric muscle | The front part of the digastric muscle | Forms the anterior boundary of the submandibular triangle |
| Posterior belly of the digastric muscle | The back part of the digastric muscle | Forms the posterior boundary of the submandibular triangle |
Understanding the submandibular triangle’s anatomy and using the right touch methods helps find the gland. This skill is key for medical exams and diagnosis.
Distinguishing Features of the Submandibular Gland
The submandibular gland has several distinct features that set it apart from other salivary glands.
One of the primary distinguishing features of the submandibular gland is its anatomy, specially the Wharton duct system. The Wharton duct comes out of the deep lobe of the gland. It plays a key role in sending secretions into the mouth.
The Wharton Duct System
The Wharton duct is a key structure that helps move saliva from the submandibular gland to the mouth. It is about 5 cm long. It opens into the mouth at the sublingual papilla, which is on either side of the lingual frenulum.
We can see the path of the Wharton duct and its importance in the following image:
Functional Role in Saliva Production
The submandibular gland is responsible for about 60 to 70 percent of unstimulated saliva. This saliva helps with lubrication, digestion, and oral hygiene. The gland’s secretion is rich in mucins, which makes saliva lubricating.
To understand the submandibular gland’s role better, let’s compare its saliva production with other glands:
| Salivary Gland | Contribution to Saliva Production |
| Submandibular Gland | 60-70% |
| Parotid Gland | 20-30% |
| Sublingual Gland | 5-10% |
As we can see, the submandibular gland is the main contributor to saliva production. This shows its key role in oral health.
Conclusion
We’ve looked into the submandibular gland’s structure, size, and where it’s located in the submandibular triangle. It’s key for making saliva and releases it through Wharton’s duct. Ultrasound is top-notch for checking out salivary glands, helping spot problems like duct blockages.
The gland’s size and spot are important for finding and fixing salivary gland issues. For example, if one side of the gland swells, ultrasound can tell if it’s blocked. It also helps in cases like Sjögren syndrome, where imaging shows how much the gland is affected.
For more info on salivary gland problems and how to find them, check out the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Knowing how the submandibular gland works is key for diagnosing and treating issues.
FAQ
What is the function of the submandibular gland?
The primary function of the submandibular gland is the production and secretion of saliva. It is responsible for approximately 60% to 70% of the total volume of saliva produced when the mouth is at rest (unstimulated). This saliva contains enzymes that begin the digestion of starches and provides the lubrication necessary for swallowing and speaking.
What is the Wharton duct system?
The Wharton duct (also known as the submandibular duct) is a tube roughly 5 cm long that carries saliva from the gland to the mouth. It travels forward along the floor of the mouth and opens at the sublingual caruncle, which are the two small bumps found on either side of the frenulum (the string-like tissue) under your tongue.<!–>
How can I identify the submandibular gland through palpation?
To feel the gland, you can perform bimanual palpation: place one finger inside the mouth under the tongue and the fingers of your other hand on the skin just below the jawline. By gently pressing the tissues together, you can feel the gland as a firm, mobile, and smooth mass. If the gland feels rock-hard or causes sharp pain when touched, it may contain a salivary stone.<!–>
What are the key anatomical landmarks for locating the submandibular gland?
The most important landmark is the angle of the mandible (the corner of your jaw). The gland sits just forward of this angle, tucked under the body of the jawbone. It is also bordered by the digastric muscle (below it) and the mylohyoid muscle, which acts as a “shelf” that the gland partially wraps around.
What is the significance of understanding the submandibular gland’s anatomy?
Understanding this anatomy is critical for diagnosing conditions like sialolithiasis (salivary stones) and avoiding nerve damage during surgery. Several vital nerves, including the facial nerve (marginal mandibular branch), the lingual nerve, and the hypoglossal nerve, run extremely close to the gland. A surgeon must know the exact position of the gland to prevent paralyzing parts of the face or tongue.<!–>
What is the role of the submandibular gland in oral health?
The saliva produced by this gland is rich in mucus and minerals, which helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. This process prevents tooth decay and remineralizes tooth enamel. Without adequate flow from the submandibular gland, a person is at a much higher risk for “dry mouth” (xerostomia), oral infections, and rapid dental cavities.
What is the glândula submandibular?
“Glândula submandibular” is simply the Portuguese and Latin term for the submandibular gland. In medical literature, Latin-derived terms are often used to maintain international standard naming conventions (Nomina Anatomica), ensuring that doctors worldwide can identify the same structure regardless of their native language.<!–>
Unlike the parotid gland (which produces watery saliva), the submandibular gland produces a mixed secretion that is both serous (watery) and mucous (thick). It responds to signals from the autonomic nervous system; when you see or smell food, the gland increases its output to prepare the mouth for the “bolus,” or the ball of food that needs to be lubricated for a smooth transit to the stomach.What is the normal size of the submandibular gland?
A typical submandibular gland is roughly the size of a walnut or a large grape. In anatomical terms, it usually measures about 4 to 5 cm in its longest diameter and weighs approximately 7 to 10 grams. While size can vary slightly between individuals, significant enlargement or a “lumpy” texture usually indicates an underlying issue like a stone or infection.
Where is the submandibular gland located?
The submandibular gland is situated in the submandibular triangle, which is located underneath the floor of the mouth. It sits just below the lower jawbone (mandible) on both the left and right sides. It is divided into two parts—a superficial lobe and a deep lobe—which wrap around the posterior border of the mylohyoid muscle.
References
National Center for Biotechnology Information. Evidence-Based Medical Insight. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542272/[4
