plica sublingualis
Quick Summary
The plica sublingualis is a ridge on the floor of the mouth, marking the upper edge of the sublingual salivary gland. Most of the ducts from this gland open onto this ridge. The sublingual glands are located beneath the mucous membrane of the mouth's floor, near the chin. They are not enclosed in a capsule and are more dispersed than other salivary glands. These glands secrete a mixed fluid that is primarily mucus.12
Salivary glands, in general, secrete saliva, which moistens food and aids in digestion. Saliva can be serous (watery, containing enzymes like amylase) or mucous (thick and slimy), or a mix of both. Salivary flow can be stimulated by the presence, thought, or smell of food, and it also follows a circadian rhythm.1
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