Topics

Topic

design image
Sublingual gland

The sublingual gland is the smallest of the major salivary glands, located in the anterior floor of the mouth beneath the tongue. It lies lateral to the genioglossus muscle and medial to the mandible, anterior to the submandibular gland. The gland consists of multiple small ducts (Rivinus ducts) that drain into the oral cavity, often joining the submandibular duct (Wharton’s duct). Knowledge of its anatomy, function, and imaging characteristics is essential for radiologists, dentists, and ENT specialists, particularly when evaluating tumors, cysts, sialolithiasis, or inflammatory conditions.

Synonyms

  • Anterior salivary gland

  • Sublingual salivary gland

  • Glandula sublingualis

  • Minor anterior floor-of-mouth gland

Function

  • Produces primarily mucous saliva to lubricate the oral cavity and facilitate swallowing

  • Contributes to oral hygiene by aiding in antimicrobial defense

  • Helps maintain moisture and pH balance in the floor of the mouth

  • Works in coordination with the submandibular gland to regulate oral cavity lubrication

MRI Appearance
T1-weighted images:

  • The sublingual gland appears as a homogeneous, intermediate signal intensity soft tissue structure

  • Surrounded by hyperintense fat, providing natural contrast

  • Pathological conditions (tumors, sialadenitis, cysts) may appear hypo- to hyperintense depending on composition and enhancement

T2-weighted images:

  • Normal glandular tissue is intermediate signal

  • Fluid-containing lesions (cysts or ductal dilatation) appear hyperintense, making them easily distinguishable

  • Useful for identifying edema, inflammation, or cystic lesions

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fat suppression highlights pathological changes

  • Normal gland appears low-to-intermediate signal

  • Inflammation, edema, or neoplastic changes appear bright, aiding early detection

CT Appearance

  • On non-contrast CT, the sublingual gland appears as a soft tissue density structure in the floor of the mouth

  • Surrounded by low-density fat, which helps define gland boundaries

  • Ductal stones (sialoliths) appear hyperdense within the ducts

  • Useful for evaluating gland size, density, ductal pathology, masses, or calcifications

  • Contrast-enhanced CT highlights vascularity and lesion enhancement, helpful in tumor assessment

MRI images

Sublingual Gland mri axial image -img-00000-00000

CT image

Submandibular gland CT axial image-img-00000-00000