anatomical and histological study of molar salivary gland in domestic cat

the gross and microscopic anatomy of the molar salivary gland of the domestic cat was studied. in this research, five pair of molar glandsfrom five male adult cats were used. in cat, the molar gland was elongated rectangle shape and was located obliquely in the submucosal fossa of the inferior lip, near the oral commissure. the dorsal border of the molar gland was attached to the masseter muscle and posterior facial nerve. the ventral border was located in the angle of the anterior and transverse facial veins near the buccal part of the buccinator muscle. the caudal end of the gland neighboring the anterior facial vein and cranial end was close to the transverse jugular vein. the meanlength and width of the left gland were 11.5 ± 0.3 mm and 3.4 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. the mean length and width of the right gland were 9.2 ± 0.8 mm and 4.1 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. the mean length of the left gland was larger than the right and the difference was significant (p