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Symmetry of the submandibular glands in humans--a postmortem study assessing the linear morphometric parameters
Bojan Stimec1, Slobodan Nikolic, Zoran Rakocevic
1Institute for Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. stimec@EUnet.yu
Background:
The analysis of morphometric right-left symmetry of the salivary glands is important for assessing unilateral changes discovered in these organs during diagnostic imaging.
Study Design:
A study was carried out on 18 adult human autopsy neck and maxillofacial specimens from both sexes (14 males, 4 females), with age range of 17 to 73 years (mean age 49.9 years). The submandibular duct was injected with contrast medium and images were made in two projection planes.
Results:
Morphometry performed using the obtained radiographs included: (a) caliber (mean proximal, middle, and distal = 1.73 mm, 1.82 mm, and 1.77 mm), (b) length (mean = 37.2 mm); (c) genu of the submandibular duct (mean = 114 degrees ); and (d) longitudinal and transverse diameters of the gland (mean = 44.1 mm and 25.9 mm). Comparison of these morphometric parameters between the right and the left glands revealed no statistically significant differences.
Conclusion:
There is a high level of right-left symmetry in linear morphometric parameters of the submandibular gland.
