Identify the internal surface features and structures associated with the oral cavity.

  1. (ON BOTH SIDES) Identify the tongue, terminal sulcus, foramen cecum, vallate papillae, and sublingual fold and caruncle. (G 8.29A and 8.32;N 60;Gl 44.18)
  2. (ON THE LEFT SIDE ONLY) Carefully strip the mucosa from the sublingual fold and posterior-lateral aspect of the oral cavity. Identify and clean the sublingual gland, submandibular duct and lingual nerve. (G 8.19B;N 58;Gl 44.25C)
    Important Relationship
    • The sublingual artery is positioned inferior to the submandibular duct.
    • The sublingual gland is positioned superior to the mylohyoid muscle and lateral to the genioglossus muscle.
    • The lingual nerve passes medial to the mandible and lateral to the medial pterygoid and styloglossus muscles.
    • The lingual nerve passes inferior to the superior constrictor and pterygomandibular raphe.
    • The lingual nerve passes lateral, inferior and medial to the submandibular duct.
Right Oral Pharynx
Sublingual Gland
Submandibular Duct
Lingual Nerve