SUBMAXILLARY REGION 289 



to twenty) proceed from the sublingual gland. These, as a 

 rule, open into the mouth on the summit of the plica sub- 

 lingualiS (Birmingham). 



Nervus Lingualis. In the dissection of the infratemporal 

 region, the lingual nerve was seen passing downwards between 

 the ramus of the mandible and the internal pterygoid muscle. 

 As it descends it inclines anteriorly, and, after passing 

 over the attachment of the superior constrictor muscle of 

 the pharynx to the posterior end of the mylo-hyoid ridge, 

 it lies below and posterior to the last molar tooth between the 

 mucous membrane of the mouth and the body of the mandible. 

 At this point it is in danger of being hurt by the clumsy 

 extraction of one of the lower molars, and here also it may 

 be divided by the surgeon, from the inside of the mouth. 

 In its further course the nerve keeps close to the side of 

 the tongue, crossing the styloglossus and the upper part of 

 the hyoglossus, and, beyond that, the submaxillary duct. 

 Its terminal branches are placed immediately under the 

 mucous membrane of the mouth, and it can be traced as 

 far as the tip of the tongue. 



The branches which proceed from the lingual nerve in the 

 submaxillary region are of two kinds (i) twigs of com- 

 munication ; (2) branches of distribution. 



C i. Two or more to the submaxillary ganglion. 

 Twigs of I 2. One or two which descend along the anterior 

 Communication, j border of the hyoglossus muscle to unite with 



\ the hypoglossal nerve. 



T> , f i. Slender filaments to the mucous membrane of the 



Branches I mouth and gums. 



Distribution I 2> A few twi ^ s to the sublingual gland. 

 ' I 3. Branches to the tongue. 



The lingual branches pierce the substance of the tongue, 

 and then incline upwards to supply the mucous membrane 

 with the papillae over the anterior two-thirds of this organ. 



Ganglion Submaxillare. This is a minute ganglion which 

 lies upon the upper part of the hyoglossus muscle in the interval 

 between the lingual nerve and the deep part of the sub- 

 maxillary gland. In size, it is not larger than the head of a 

 large pin; and, when freed from the connective tissue surround- 

 ing both it and its branches, it will be seen to be suspended 

 from the lingual nerve by two short branches, which enter its 

 upper border, and are separated by a distinct interval. Of these, 

 the posterior connecting twig is frequently in the form of two 



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