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Head and neck glands

Head and neck glands

Overview

There are several pairs of salivary glands in different locations: a major pair in front of the ears (parotid glands); two major pairs on the floor of the mouth (sublingual and submaxillary glands); and several minor pairs within the lips, cheeks, and tongue.

Review Date 12/31/2023

Updated by: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.