Surgical Anatomy, Morphometry, and Histochemistry of Major Salivary Glands in Dogs: Updates and Recommendations

The present study aimed to highlight the characteristic anatomical, morphometrical, as well as, histochemical features of the major salivary glands (SG) in dogs. Based on the surgical anatomy of the major SG, surgical excision of the parotid SG may be the most challenge due to vital blood vessels and nerves invading its parenchyma (the branches of the facial nerve, the maxillary and superficial temporal arteries, as well as, the internal maxillary vein).Creating an incision directly over the thick fibrous capsule of the mandibular SG and dissection of the gland from the capsule may be easier to excise the gland and safer to both; the maxillary and linguofacial veins. The excision of the zygomatic SG may necessitate osteotomy or ostectomy of the zygomatic arch. Based on the histological and histochemistry of the major salivary glands, the dog that one of its salivary glands was excised, the type of its food may have to be changed according to the excised SG and upon its nature of secretion.