EMBRYOLOGY OF

SALIVARY GLANDS

PREPARED BY:
Dr.Bayad Jaza Mahmood

Contents

Introduction

Development of the major salivary glands:

1.parotid glands.
2.submandibular glands.
3.sublingual glands.

Development of the minor salivary glands and Von Ebner.

Summary.

References

Embryology:
(from Greek embryon, "unborn, and -logia) is a
science which is about the development of an
embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the
fetus stage.
Three distinct layers of cells (the germ layers) from
which all the bodily organs and tissues then develop:
1.
2.
3.

The innermost layer, or endoderm, gives rise to the digestive

organs, lungs and bladder.
The middle layer, or mesoderm, gives rise to the muscles,
skeleton and blood system.
The outer layer of cells, or ectoderm, gives rise to the nervous
system and skin.

INTRODUCTION
o

The development of salivary glands during the

gestational period is important because these are
actively involved in during postnatal life in the digestive
processes ,body defense and speech.

Thus, over the sixth and seventh weeks of embryonic

period, the primitive salivary glands appear from the
primitive oral cavity.

According to the size present these glands in the adult

there are two types of salivary glands: major salivary glands
(parotid, submandibular gland, sublingual gland) and minor
salivary glands and von Ebner.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PAROTID GLAND

The parotid glands are the first to appear (at the beginning of the
sixth week). They develop from buds that arise from the oral ectodermal
lining around the corners of stomodeum.

The buds grow and branch to form solid cords with rounded ends.
Subsequently, the laces are channeled and become conduits to the

10th week.

The rounded ends of the cords differentiate into acini.

Secretions begin early in the 18th week.

The capsule and connective tissue develops

surrounding mesenchyme.

from the

Duct Canalization:

Canalization results from mitotic activity of the

outer layers of the cord outpacing that of the inner
cell layers.

Canalization is complete by 6th month post

conception.

Acinar cells of Salivary Glands are classified:

Serous cells: produce a thin watery secretion

Mucous cells: produce a more viscous secretion

DEVELOPMENT OF SUBMANDIBULAR
GLANDS

Submaxillary glands appear at the end of the 6th week.

They are formed from endodermal buds on the floor of stomodeum.

Grow posteriorly in the solid cell processes, lateral to the tongue and
later branch out and differentiate.

Acini begin to form at the 12th week and the secretory activity
begins at the 16th week.

The growth of submandibular glands at birth continued after the

formation of mucous acini. On one side of the tongue forms a linear
groove which soon closes above and results in the submandibular
duct.

DEVELOPMENT OF SUBLINGUAL
GLAND
Sublingual glands appear during the eighth week, two
weeks after the rest of the salivary glands.
Develop from multiple endodermal epithelial bud in
the groove paralingual.
These buds branch and channelize to be 10 to 12
ducts that open independently on the floor of the
mouth.

DEVELOPMENT OF MINOR SALIVARY

GLANDS (VON EBNER)

Minor

salivary

glands

Their secretions represent just under 10% of the total

salivary volume, but they have great importance both
locally and generally in relation to the defensive
functions and digestive saliva.

are distributed in the

submucosa of the oral cavity and are called according to
the region that include: lip, palate, tongue, and
palatoglossal junction.

Most of the minor salivary glands have a mixed

structure, with a predominance of mucous components.
The exception is the Von Ebner glands and lingual later,
the only pure serous,

Von Ebner glands

Are of endodermal origin.

They are found in circumvallate papillae of the tongue.

They secrete a serous fluid that begin lipid hydrolysis, and they
facilitate the perception of taste.

They Begin to develop between the 8th and 10th week of intrauterine
life. Between the 16th and 20th week acini and ducts are observed.

At 20th weeks of embryonic development both acini and ductal

system are structurally distinct.

whose structure closely resembles the parotid gland. However, the

secretory units of the Von Ebner glands do not consist of true acini
but tubulosaccular dilated structures.

SUMMERY

The process of embryogenesis is common

to all the salivary glands and each
originates
from
a
specific
location
stomodeum mucosa.
First there is a thickening of the epithelium
at the site where pour gland secretions,
hence an epithelial bud arises as a solid
cellular cord which invaginates into the
underlying connective tissue formation and
dichotomous branching at its distal end.

Key points to review:

The parotid primordium are the first to develop, followed by the

submandibular gland, and finally the sublingual gland.

Parenchymal tissue (secretory) of the glands arises from the

proliferation of oral epithelium.

The stroma (capsule and septae) of the glands originates from

mesenchyme that may be mesodermal or neural crest in origin.

Although the parotid primordium are the first to develop, they

become encapsulated AFTER the SMG and SLG.

This delayed encapsulation is critical after the encapsulation of

the SMG and SLG but BEFORE encapsulation of the parotid, the
lymphatic system develops.

Therefore, there are intraglandular lymph nodes and

lymphatic channels entrapped within the parotid gland
(PG).

PG is also unique because its epithelial buds grow,

branch and extend around the divisions of the facial
nerve.

Elongation of the end bulb follows and lumina appears in

their centers, transforming the end bulbs into terminal
tubules.

These tubules join the canalizing ducts to the peripheral

acini.

REFERENCES

Clinical embryology / Seventh Edition / Editorial ELSEVIIER /

Madrid Spain 2004.

Basic Embryology Patten / Editorial Mc Graw Hill / Mexico

1990.

Atlas of human anatomy / Frank H. Netter / Second

Edition / Editorial Masson SA / Madrid Spain 2000.

Sobotta Atlas of Human Anatomy / Ferrer, Helmut

Staubesand, Jochen.

Internet for pictures.

Thanks

Dubai Towers