Sublingual gland

Looks like

The smallest main salivary gland, an almond-shaped gland under the tongue on each side.

What it does

Adds thick, mucous saliva through many tiny ducts.

Keeping it well

A blocked duct forms a bluish swelling under the tongue (ranula), removed surgically if it persists.

Related conditions

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Lichen planus
• Mouth ulcers (aphthous stomatitis)
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Salivary gland stones
• Salivary gland tumours
• Sjögren's disease
• Stevens–Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis