Anatomical Variation Of The Submandibular Gland Duct. A Unreported Anomaly

Abstract

Background: The submandibular gland is the second largest major salivary gland and weighs 7–16 gr. The gland is located in both sides of the face, at the same level of the body of the jaw, in the submandibular triangle, The submandibular duct or Wharton’s duct exits anteriorly, coursing deep to the lingual nerve and medial to the sublingual gland, the main excretory duct of the submandibular gland, whose diameter is of 2 to 3mm and approximately 4–5 cm long. It empties lateral to the lingual frenulum through a papilla in the floor of the mouth behind the lower incisor tooth. The purpose of this study is determine the morphologic features and describe an unusual anatomical variation of the path of the submandibular duct. Methods and Findings: A total of 17 cadavers were used for this study in the Morphology Laboratory at the University of Pamplona. In a cadaver were findings: The excretory duct of the left submandibular gland had an external location that ascends and crosses vertically off the body of the mandible, in its termination it is divided in four ducts that had separate openings into the oral cavity upon a small papillas independent, opposites to the first and second lower molar Crown. Conclusions: Awareness of potential variations of the excretory ducts of the salivary glands can aid in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients with salivary conditions as well as help surgeons avoid further complications or duct lacerations during surgical procedures.