What are the ducts of salivary glands?
The ducts of the salivary glands allow the passage of salivary juice from the glands to the oral cavity:
- parotid duct (Stenson duct): connects the parotid gland to the buccal mucosa, adjacent to maxillary second molar.
- submandibular duct (Wharton duct): connects the submandibular gland to the floor of the mouth.
What are the 3 salivary glands and their ducts?
The three major salivary glands are the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. Stensen’s duct drains the parotid gland opposite the upper second molar. Wharton’s duct drains the submandibular and some of the sublingual glands into the floor of the mouth near the frenulum of the tongue.
What is Wharton’s duct?
Wharton’s duct is a thin tube, about 5 cm in length, and an essential carrier of your saliva. Each submandibular duct begins at the right and left sides of the mouth. The submandibular duct openings are underneath the tongue. These openings that empty into the oral cavity are also known as sublingual caruncles.
Where are the salivary gland ducts located?
They all secrete saliva into your mouth, the parotid through tubes that drain saliva, called salivary ducts, near your upper teeth, submandibular under your tongue, and the sublingual through many ducts in the floor of your mouth.
What causes an infected salivary gland?
The most common causes of acute salivary gland infections are bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus, or staph. Viruses and fungi can also cause infection in the glands. (Mumps is an example of a viral infection of the parotid glands.)
What are the symptoms of a blocked salivary gland?
Common symptoms of blocked salivary glands include:
- a sore or painful lump under the tongue.
- pain or swelling below the jaw or ears.
- pain that increases when eating.
What does the submandibular duct do?
The submandibular duct, also called the Wharton’s duct, is the excretory duct of the gland. It drains saliva from the glands at the base of the tongue. The blood supply to the gland comes from the facial artery and lingual artery. The parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems stimulate the salivary glands.
How do I know if I have a salivary gland infection?
Symptoms include:
- a constant abnormal or foul taste in your mouth.
- inability to fully open your mouth.
- discomfort or pain when opening your mouth or eating.
- pus in your mouth.
- dry mouth.
- pain in your mouth.
- face pain.
- redness or swelling over your jaw in front of your ears, below your jaw, or on the bottom of your mouth.