Between 600 and 1000 tiny salivary glands lie just under the lining of the lips, cheeks, palate, tongue and throat. Named groups include the labial, buccal, palatine and lingual glands. Each opens directly onto the mucosa through a short duct and together they keep the mouth lining moist even when the major glands are resting.
| Location | Submucosa of the lips, cheeks, hard and soft palate, tongue, floor of mouth, pharynx and larynx |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Parasympathetic fibres via the facial nerve (greater petrosal and chorda tympani) and the glossopharyngeal nerve |
| Blood Supply | Local branches of the facial, lingual and maxillary arteries |
Provide a continuous low-volume flow of protective, lubricating saliva over the oral mucosa, especially during sleep.
A biting injury to the lower lip often damages a minor gland duct and produces a mucocele, a soft bluish bubble. A lip biopsy of minor salivary glands is used to diagnose Sjogren syndrome. Tumours of minor glands, most often on the hard palate, are more likely to be malignant than major gland tumours.
A mucus-filled swelling, typically on the lower lip, from trauma to a minor salivary gland duct.
Autoimmune destruction of salivary and tear glands causing dry mouth and dry eyes; lip gland biopsy shows lymphocyte clusters.
Malignant tumours such as adenoid cystic or mucoepidermoid carcinoma, commonly on the palate.
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