SUBLINGUAL GLAND Meaning and
Definition
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The sublingual gland is a major salivary gland located underneath the tongue, responsible for producing and secreting saliva into the oral cavity. It is one of the three pairs of salivary glands, along with the parotid and submandibular glands, and is essential for various oral functions.
The sublingual gland is classified as a mixed exocrine gland, meaning it contains both serous and mucous cells. These cells work together to produce and secrete saliva, which is composed of water, electrolytes, enzymes, and other substances. The secretion of saliva by the sublingual gland facilitates the lubrication of food during mastication and swallowing, helps maintain oral hygiene and pH balance, and aids in digestion.
Anatomically, the sublingual gland is located in the floor of the mouth, beneath the tongue. It consists of numerous lobules, each containing several acini, or secretory units, where saliva is produced. The acini then drain into a series of ducts that transport the saliva towards the oral cavity.
Disorders affecting the sublingual gland can lead to various oral health problems. For instance, the obstruction or inflammation of the sublingual gland ducts can result in salivary gland stones or sialadenitis, causing pain, swelling, and difficulties in saliva flow. Therefore, keeping the sublingual gland and the entire salivary gland system healthy is crucial for maintaining oral health and overall well-being.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SUBLINGUAL GLAND
- aublingual gland
- zublingual gland
- xublingual gland
- dublingual gland
- eublingual gland
- wublingual gland
- syblingual gland
- shblingual gland
- sjblingual gland
- siblingual gland
- s8blingual gland
- s7blingual gland
- suvlingual gland
- sunlingual gland
- suhlingual gland
- suglingual gland
- subkingual gland
- subpingual gland
- suboingual gland
Etymology of SUBLINGUAL GLAND
The word "sublingual gland" is derived from Latin.
The term "sublingual" comes from the Latin word "sublingualis", which is a combination of "sub" meaning "under" and "lingua" meaning "tongue". Therefore, "sublingual" literally means "under the tongue".
The term "gland" also comes from Latin, specifically from the word "glandula", which means "acorn". This is due to the resemblance of some glands to acorns in shape. Over time, the meaning of "glandula" was extended to refer to various secretory organs in the body.
Thus, the etymology of "sublingual gland" ultimately refers to the location of this specific salivary gland, which is situated beneath the tongue.
Similar spelling word for SUBLINGUAL GLAND
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