Human Anatomy
Submandibular Region
Submandibular region for MBBS: submandibular and sublingual glands, Wharton's duct, lingual and hypoglossal nerves and the submandibular ganglion, mapped to NMC codes AN34.1 and AN34.2.
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Submandibular Region
Submandibular region for MBBS: submandibular and sublingual glands, Wharton's duct, lingual and hypoglossal nerves and the submandibular ganglion, mapped to NMC codes AN34.1 and AN34.2.
The submandibular region chapter covers the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands, the mylohyoid floor of the mouth and the tangle of nerves that cross it. It explains salivary stones, the anatomy of gland removal and the parasympathetic pathway to these glands.
High-yield: Submandibular Region
- The submandibular gland has a larger superficial part and a smaller deep part that wrap around the free posterior border of mylohyoid.
- The submandibular duct, or Wharton's duct, runs forward to open at a papilla beside the frenulum of the tongue.
- The lingual nerve loops under the submandibular duct, crossing it twice, first lateral then medial.
- Salivary stones most often form in the submandibular gland and duct because the secretion is thick and flows upward against gravity.
- The mylohyoid muscle forms the floor of the mouth and separates the submandibular from the sublingual region.
- The mylohyoid is supplied by the nerve to mylohyoid, a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve.
- The submandibular ganglion hangs from the lingual nerve and relays parasympathetic fibres from the chorda tympani.
- These secretomotor fibres supply the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands.
- The hypoglossal nerve runs deep in the region on hyoglossus, supplying all the muscles of the tongue except palatoglossus.
- The facial artery grooves the deep surface of the submandibular gland before curving over the mandible onto the face.
- The sublingual gland lies in the floor of the mouth above mylohyoid and opens by many small ducts.
- The submandibular lymph nodes drain the face, mouth and much of the tongue and are palpated under the jaw.
- The genioglossus, an important tongue muscle, protrudes the tongue and keeps the airway open in sleep.
- Removing the submandibular gland risks injury to the lingual, hypoglossal and marginal mandibular nerves.
Key relations in the submandibular region
- **Submandibular gland:** Superficial and deep parts around mylohyoid. Drains by Wharton's duct near the tongue frenulum.
- **Lingual nerve:** Loops under the submandibular duct and carries the submandibular ganglion.
- **Hypoglossal nerve:** Runs on hyoglossus, supplying all tongue muscles except palatoglossus.
- **Submandibular ganglion:** Parasympathetic relay from the chorda tympani to the submandibular and sublingual glands.
NMC competencies in this chapter
- **AN34.1:** Submandibular and sublingual glands, ducts and relations
- **AN34.2:** Nerves and vessels of the submandibular region and applied anatomy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are salivary stones common in the submandibular gland?
Its saliva is thick and its duct runs upward against gravity, so secretions stagnate and calcify more readily than in the parotid, causing painful swelling at meals.
How does the lingual nerve relate to the submandibular duct?
The lingual nerve crosses the duct twice, first lying lateral, then hooking beneath it to lie medial, an important landmark during gland surgery.
Which nerves are at risk when removing the submandibular gland?
The lingual, hypoglossal and marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve are all close by and can be injured during the operation.
How does this chapter help in NEET-PG?
Salivary gland anatomy and the nerves of the floor of the mouth are tested in surgery and ENT, so this region remains useful throughout PG preparation.
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