RT - Journal TY - JOUR A1 - Turamanlar, Ozan A1 - Akbay, Ercan A1 - Gonul, Yucel A1 - Celik, Alaettin A1 - Songur, Ahmet T1 - Variation of branch of glossopharyngeal nerve leading to the submandibular gland YR - 2014/5/1 JF - Sifa Medical Journal JO - Sifa Med J SP - 24 OP - 26 VO - 1 IS - 2 UL - https://www.imjsu.org/article.asp?issn=2148-7731;year=2014;volume=1;issue=2;spage=24;epage=26;aulast=Turamanlar;t=5 DO - 10.4103/2148-7731.132966 N2 - Submandibular gland is the second largest salivary gland and comprised of two parts, superficial and deep part. The medial side of the superficial part of the gland neighbors to several structures like glossophayngeal nerve. It is innervated by lingual nerve (sensorial fibers) tympanic chord (parasympathetic fibers) and sympathetic trunk. During a routine dissection, a variant branch of glossopharyngeal nerve entering submandibular gland was observed in an adult male cadaver. During that surgical procedure in the parapharyngeal and submandibular spaces, preservation of the gland function and innervation has a major physiological importance. We did not have any chance to observe the clinical effect of this variation since it was demonstrated on a cadaver. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study published regarding this variation. To bear in mind that submandibular gland can be innervated from glossopharyngeal nerve as a variation is important to preserve the glandular function and to prevent cutting this nerve accidentally during surgery. ER -