The following table summarises the Distinguishing features of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual salivary glands.
| Parotid gland | Submandibular gland | Sublingual gland | |
| Location | Near the ear | Below the mandible | Below the tongue |
| Development | Ectodermal | Endodermal | Endodermal |
| Size | Largest (25 g) | Smaller (10–20 g) | Smallest (3–4 g) |
| Shape | Pyramidal shaped | J-shaped | Almond shaped |
| Duct and its site of opening in oral cavity | Parotid duct opens into vestibule of oral cavity opposite the second upper molar tooth | Submandibular duct opens into the floor of oral cavity proper on summit of sublingual papilla at the side of frenulum of the tongue | Series of ducts open into the floor of the oral cavity proper on the sublingual fold |
| Secretomotor nerve supply | • Through lesser petrosal nerve • Preganglionic fibres arise from inferior salivatory nucleus • Postganglionic fibres arise from otic ganglion | • Through chorda tympani • Preganglionic fibres arise from superior salivatory nucleus • Postganglionic fibres arise from submandibular ganglion | • Through chorda tympani nerve • Preganglionic fibres arise from superior salivatory nucleus • Postganglionic fibres arise from submandibular ganglion |
| Nature of secretion | Serous | Both serous and mucus | Mucus |
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