Surgery of the Sublingual Gland

The sublingual gland is the smallest of the three major salivary glands. It lies between the muscles of the floor of the oral cavity, and the mandible borders the sublingual glands laterally. The ducts of Rivinus, a group of excretory ducts, drain the sublingual gland, which contributes approximately 5% of saliva in the oral cavity. This chapter discusses the embryology, surgical anatomy, and applied physiology of the sublingual salivary gland. In addition, it explores the clinical conditions of significance in relation to the gland including ranula, neoplasia, sialolithiasis, and sialadenitis. Finally, this chapter discusses the indications, contraindications, and techniques of sublingual sialadenectomy.