472 SUBLINGUAL GLAND. 



The orifice is often smaller than the duct ; in consequence of 

 which, obstruction frequently occurs here, and produces the 

 disease called ranula. 



The Sublingual gland, which has already been mentioned, 

 lies so that, when the tongue is turned up, it can be seen pro- 

 truding into the cavity of the mouth, and covered by the lining 

 membrane, which seems to keep it fixed in its place. It lies 

 upon the mylo-hyoideus, by the side of the genio-hyoideus ; 

 and is rather oval in form, and flat. Its greatest length is from 

 before backwards ; its position is rather oblique, one edge being 

 placed obliquely inwards and upwards, and the other outwards 

 and downwards. It has many short excretory ducts, which 

 open by orifices arranged in a line on each side : they are 

 discovered with difficulty on account of their small size, and 

 sometimes amount to eighteen or twenty in number. In some 

 few instances, this gland sends off a single duct, which com- 

 municates with the duct of the submaxillary gland. 



The duct of the Submaxillary gland is called the duct of 

 Wharton, (ductus Whartonionus) from an English anato- 

 mist who first described it. It is accompanied in nearly the 

 whole of its course by the lingual branch of the fifth pair of 

 nerves. 



The usual arrangement of the ducts of the sublingual 

 gland is as follows : six or eight run from the upper part of the 

 gland, to open by the side of the fraenum linguae. Five or six 

 others proceed from its sides to open separately in the mucous 

 membrane above the gland. Several open into the duct of 

 Wharton which runs by the side of the gland ; these most 

 frequently unite to form a single duct, called the duct of Bar- 

 tholinus, or duct of Rivinus. This I have frequently succeeded 

 in distending with mercury from the duct of Wharton. 

 The structure and office of these salivary glands appear the 

 same, and not unfrequently a slight continuation of structure is 

 observed at the two extremities of the submaxillary gland. 



The salivary fluid secreted by these glands is inodorous, 

 insipid, and limpid, like water ; but much more viscid, and of 

 greater specific gravity. Water constitutes at least four-fifths 



