Anatomy and Cell Biology

Korean Association of Anatomists (대한해부학회)
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A large sublingual glandular branch of the lingual nerve: a rare case report

  • Aaron Albuck (Tulane University School of Medicine) ;
  • Yuto Haikata (Division of Gross and Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine) ;
  • Koichi Watanabe (Division of Gross and Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine) ;
  • R. Shane Tubbs (Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine) ;
  • Joe Iwanaga (Division of Gross and Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2022.01.25
  • Accepted : 2022.03.28
  • Published : 2022.09.30
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Abstract

While the route, location, and pathology of the lingual nerve has been detailed extensively in reports in the literature, its terminal branch to the sublingual gland is often overlooked. It is known, via both gross and histological observation, that the sublingual glandular branch terminates at the posterior aspect of the sublingual gland. Upon routine cadaveric dissection of a male cadaver, one of the lingual nerve branches was found to terminate at the anteroinferior portion of a herniated sublingual gland. This specific course has not previously been discussed or reported via gross or histological observation. Therefore, a timely review of the lingual nerve's terminal sublingual glandular branch's anatomy and clinical significance pertaining to this case is warranted. Surgeons who treat patients with submental masses should be aware of the anatomy of this nerve and the potential variance described here in order to avoid postprocedural complications.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors sincerely thank those who donated their bodies to science so that anatomical research could be performed. Results from such research can potentially increase mankind's overall knowledge that can then improve patient care. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude.

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