The major salivary glands receive innervation from both parts of the autonomic nervous system - the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Also, all major salivary glands receive sensory innervation.

Overall, the autonomic nervous system regulates the produced amount of saliva:

Increased parasympathetic stimulation leads to an increase in the production of saliva.
In contrast, sympathetic stimulation decreases and inhibits secretion, as it also reduces the blood flow through the gland via vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels).

Submandibular and sublingual glands

The submandibular and sublingual glands receive parasympathetic fibers from the chorda tympani of the facial nerve (CN VII). The preganglionic fibers arise in the superior salivatory nucleus in the pons, and they synapse in the submandibular ganglion.

After arising, these fibers travel via the facial nerve (CN VII) and then they are included in the chorda tympani. Later, the chorda tympani joins the lingual nerve, which is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3). The lingual nerve then serves as a conduit, and the preganglionic fibers reach the submandibular ganglion via this nerve.

The preganglionic fibers synapse in the submandibular ganglion, and both glands receive innervation from the postganglionic fibers via the lingual nerve.

The sympathetic innervation is provided by the superior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunk (Read more!). And finally, the sensory innervation of both glands comes from the lingual nerve of the mandibular nerve (CN V3).

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Innervation of salivary glands (submandibular and sublingual glands)