submaxillary gland

8.0

A gland under the lower jaw that makes saliva

noun
/ˌsʌbˈmæksɪˌlɛri ɡlænd/

Specialized

: glándula submaxilar

The submaxillary gland is responsible for much of the saliva produced during sleep.

Examples

Swelling below the jaw can sometimes indicate inflammation of the submaxillary gland.
The surgeon carefully removed the submaxillary gland to treat the chronic infection.
The submaxillary gland plays a crucial role in saliva production.
Many people are unaware of their submaxillary glands.
The submaxillary gland produces a large amount of saliva, especially while we sleep at night.
Doctors often examine the submaxillary gland for signs of swelling indicating potential health issues.
After surgery, the patient needed to monitor the function of their submaxillary gland for proper saliva production.

Synonyms

submaxillary salivary gland

vssubmaxillary gland

Specialized

6.8

A small part under the lower jaw that makes saliva and sends it under the tongue

uses the shorter traditional name without the added descriptive noun

submandibular salivary gland

vssubmaxillary gland

Specialized

6.0

A gland under the lower jaw that makes saliva and releases it under the tongue, often at night

uses an alternative traditional name for the same paired gland

submandibular gland

vssubmaxillary gland

Specialized

6.5

One of two glands beneath the lower jaw that make saliva, often at night

uses a different conventional name for that same paired organ

submandibular

vssubmaxillary gland

Specialized

8.2

A gland under the lower jaw that makes saliva

is the more established traditional name rather than the brief descriptor

mandibular gland

vssubmaxillary gland

Specialized

7.5

A gland inside the lower jaw that makes saliva under the tongue

specifies a position beneath the jaw rather than inside it

Surface Forms

submaxillary gland singular

submaxillary glands plural

Morphology

submaxillary + gland

The compound is compositionally analyzable: sub- (under) + maxillary (relating to the maxilla/jaw) + gland yields the meaning 'gland beneath the jaw', so the semantics are derivable from parts. However, 'submaxillary'/'maxillary' are technical, Latin-derived medical terms that a typical B1 learner would not know or be able to decompose reliably, so comprehension is not fully predictable without exposure or morphological knowledge.

Etymology

The name submaxillary gland comes from Latin parts sub and maxilla, which mean 'under' and 'jaw', so the name points to the small saliva gland that sits below the lower jaw and makes saliva.