2. Anatomy of Associated Oral Structures

Where do the salivary glands drain?

into the oral cavity

What is the purpose of the salivary glands?

secrete saliva which keeps the oral cavity moist and mixes with food to facilitate mastication

How do the salivary glands secrete into the oral cavity?

through papilla

What do the minor salivary glands produce?

mucoid secretions

What do the major salivary glands produce?

serous fluid secretions

What are the three pairs of major glands?

P
Z
M

• parotid salivary gland

• zygomatic salivary gland

• mandibular salivary gland

Where does the parotid duct come out near?

near maxillary 4th premolar

Where do the ducts of the zygomatic salivary gland open?

near 1st and 2nd maxillary molars

What is the top arrow pointing to? What tooth is it near? What is its clinical significance?

M
A

lingual molar salivary gland in cats; mandibular 1st molar

• may be confused for an abnormal structure

• avoid during surgical extraction of 1st mandibular molar tooth

What are the landmarks for the caudal maxillary nerve block?

S
M

• 2nd maxillary molar tooth

• maxillary tuberosity

What two foramen are sites for nerve blocks? What else is important about them clinically?

I
M

• infraorbital foramen

• middle mental foramen

be able to recognize normal radiolucency on radiographs

Where is the site of the inferior alveolar nerve block?

mandibular foramen

What is an important landmark used to know you are looking at the maxilla?

palatine fissure

What are the left and right mandibles joined by?

a fibrocartilagenous synchrondrosis (mandibular symphysis)

What is the clinical significance of the mandibular symphysis?

normal radiolucent line on radiographs (tells you that you’re looking at the mandible)

True or false: Some degree of mobility with the mandibular symphysis is normal depending on the age and breed.

true

Is this a fracture?

no, this is the mandibular symphysis

What is the clinical significance of the mandibular canal?

R
A

• recognize mandible on radiographs

• aware of location of major blood/nerve supply during surgical extraction of mandibular teeth

Is this the mandible or the maxilla? How do you know?

the mandible; can see the mandibular canal

What sensory nerves are blocked for dental procedures for pain management?

M
I
I
M

• maxillary nerve

• infraorbital nerve

• inferior alveolar nerve

• mental nerve

What are the branches of the trigeminal nerve?

M
M

• maxillary nerve

• mandibular nerve

What are the branches of the maxillary nerve?

I
P

• infraorbital nerve

• pterygopalatine nerve

What are the branches of the infraorbital nerve?

alveolar branches

What are the branches of the pterygopalatine nerve?

palatine nerves

What is the branching of the mandibular nerve?

I
M

• inferior alveolar nerve

• mental nerve

What is the branching of the inferior alveolar nerve?

alveolar sensory nerves

True or false: It is important to know the routes of the arteries and veins that are supplying the oral cavity and teeth. They are important to avoid, if possible, during dental/oral surgical procedures. If you can’t avoid them, plan for hemostasis.

true

Is there a lot of blood supply to the oral cavity? Why or why not?

yes; aids in healing and control of infection

What are the branches of the maxillary artery?

I
M
I

• inferior alveolar artery

• major and minor palatine arteries

• infraorbital artery

courses through mandibular foramen and canal to supply mandibular teeth and bone

inferior alveolar artery

What are the branches of the inferior alveolar artery? What is clinically significant about them?

3 mental branches; may encounter when performing surgical extraction of mandibular canine teeth

supply hard and soft palate, periosteum, and alveolar bone of maxillary teeth

major and minor palatine arteries

continuation of the maxillary artery and emerges form infraorbital canal

infraorbital artery

What branches from the infraorbital artery? What do they supply?

alveolar arteries; maxillary teeth