Sublingual space

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Sublingual space

The sublingual space is an anatomical region located in the oral cavity, specifically beneath the tongue. It is a part of the floor of the mouth and plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including speech, swallowing, and the movement of the tongue.

Anatomy

The sublingual space is bounded by several important structures:

• Superiorly by the mucosa of the floor of the mouth.
• Inferiorly by the mylohyoid muscle.
• Laterally by the mandible.
• Medially by the genioglossus muscle.

Contents

The sublingual space contains several vital anatomical components:

• The sublingual gland, which is one of the three major salivary glands.
• The submandibular duct (also known as Wharton's duct), which drains saliva from the submandibular gland.
• The lingual nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve (V3), which provides sensory innervation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
• The hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), which controls the movements of the tongue.
• The lingual artery and lingual vein, which supply blood to and drain blood from the tongue.

Clinical Significance

The sublingual space is clinically significant for several reasons:

• It can be a site for sialolithiasis, which is the formation of salivary stones that can obstruct the submandibular duct.
• Infections such as Ludwig's angina can spread to the sublingual space, leading to severe complications.
• The space is also considered during certain dental procedures and surgeries involving the floor of the mouth.

Pathology

Conditions affecting the sublingual space include:

• Ranula, a type of mucocele that occurs in the floor of the mouth.
• Sialadenitis, an inflammation of the salivary glands.
• Neoplasms or tumors that may arise from the sublingual gland or other structures within the space.

Imaging

Imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI are often used to evaluate the sublingual space for diagnostic purposes. These imaging modalities help in identifying the presence of masses, infections, or other abnormalities.

See Also

• Oral cavity
• Salivary gland
• Tongue
• Floor of the mouth
• Ludwig's angina
• Sialolithiasis