The submandibular gland is a walnut-sized salivary gland lying under the body of the lower jaw. It hooks around the back edge of the mylohyoid muscle, so it has a larger superficial part in the neck and a smaller deep part in the floor of the mouth. It produces most of the saliva at rest, a mixed watery and mucous secretion.
| Location | Submandibular triangle of the neck, below the mandible, with a superficial part below the mylohyoid and a deep part wrapping around its posterior border into the floor of the mouth |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Chorda tympani (facial nerve) via the lingual nerve and submandibular ganglion (parasympathetic secretomotor); Sympathetic fibres from the facial artery plexus |
| Blood Supply | Facial artery (submandibular branches); Submental artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
Supplies around two-thirds of unstimulated saliva, keeping the mouth moist, protecting the teeth and lubricating food.
The submandibular gland is the commonest site of salivary stones because its saliva is thicker and more alkaline and its duct runs uphill. Stones cause painful swelling at mealtimes. During gland removal surgeons must protect the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (lower lip weakness), the lingual nerve and the hypoglossal nerve.
Salivary stones, most often in the submandibular gland or duct, causing swelling and pain when eating.
Bacterial infection of the gland, often behind an obstructing stone, causing a tender swollen gland and pus from the duct.
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