Submandibular GlandThe submandibular glands lie in the submandibular triangular of the neck, under either side of the floor of the mouth. They have a long excretory duct known as the submandibular (Wharton’s) duct. The duct opens at the sublingual caruncle, a small fleshy prominence, on each side of the lingual frenulum on the floor of the oral cavity.
The submandibular gland is a mixed (serous and mucous) compound tubuloalveolar gland and produces a mixed type of secretion. It is composed of serous acini (mostly) and mucous acini. Serous demilunes cap the mucous acini to manufacture a mixed secretion. As in the parotid gland, myoepithelial (basket) cells surround the acini. The capsule sends septa to subdivide the substance of the submandibular gland into lobes and lobules. In addition, the submandibular gland has an extensive duct system, which is recognized by its pale cytoplasm, large lumina and round nuclei. However, the submandibular gland has less extensive intercalated ducts than those in the parotid gland. |
Histology Text: Parotid Gland - Sublingual Gland - Liver - Gallbladder - Pancreas
Histology Atlas - Histopathology - Histology Quiz
Histology Atlas - Histopathology - Histology Quiz