Which nerve is at risk during submandibular gland excision?
Which nerve is at risk during submandibular gland excision?
• A lower branch of the facial nerve is the nerve most likely to be bruised in the removal of a submandibular gland. If bruising occurs it affects the movement of your lower lip, leading to a slightly crooked smile.
What happens if you have your salivary glands removed?
Possible risks and side effects of salivary gland surgery Most people will have some pain afterward, but this can usually be controlled with medicines. Damage to the facial nerve: If your facial nerve is damaged during surgery, you might lose control of your facial muscles on the side where the surgery was done.
What does submandibular gland do?
Lubricates and moisturizes your mouth and throat. Starts digestion by helping break down food with moisture and enzymes. Manages the pH level (acidity) of your mouth.
Where does the submandibular gland open?
The second pair, the submaxillary glands, also called submandibular glands, are located along the side of the lower jawbone. The major duct of each (Wharton’s duct) opens into the floor of the mouth at the junction where the front of the tongue meets the mouth’s floor.
Why would submandibular gland be removed?
The submandibular gland is most commonly removed for tumors, stones lodged in the gland which block saliva from draining, or for recurrent infections of the gland that have failed medical management. Most tumors found in the submandibular gland are benign (non-cancerous), although they can be malignant (cancerous).
What is Harlequin syndrome?
Harlequin syndrome is a syndrome affecting the autonomic nervous system.[13659] The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling the body’s natural processes such as sweating, skin flushing, and the response of the pupils to stimuli.[13660] People with Harlequin syndrome have the absence of sweating and …
What is the main function of the submandibular gland?
Lubricates and moisturizes your mouth and throat. Starts digestion by helping break down food with moisture and enzymes.
What does the submandibular gland produce?
The submandibular gland produces the most saliva (approximately 70%) in the unstimulated state; however, during salivary gland stimulation, the parotid gland produces more than 50% of the saliva [3].