The submandibular gland is located in the submandibular neck triangle that is bounded by the anterior and posterior bellies of the digastric muscle and the inferior border of the mandibular body (Read more!).

Besides the structures mentioned in the previous slides, these glands are closely related to the lingual nerve, hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (CN VII), facial vein and facial artery.

The lingual nerve is a sensory nerve that arises from the mandibular nerve (CN V3). It goes across the floor of the oral cavity. At first, it is located lateral to the submandibular duct, then it makes a loop beneath the duct and enters the medial side of the duct. And finally, the nerve terminates by giving several smaller branches that provide innervation to the tongue mucosa (its anterior two-thirds).
The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) is the twelfth cranial nerve that provides motor innervation to the tongue. It is located deep to the gland. The nerve crosses the posterior belly of the digastric and reaches the tongue going between the hyoglossus and mylohyoid muscles, traveling superficial to the hyoglossus muscle. Also, this nerve is situated medial to the common tendon of the digastric.
The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) arises within the parotid gland and exits the gland at the mandibular angle. Further, it goes along the lower border of the mandibular body between the platysma and the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia. The nerve curves down toward the superficial lobe of the submandibular gland.
And finally, it is essential to note that the facial vein and facial artery also go next to the superficial lobe of the gland. The facial artery curves posterosuperior to the gland and then descends toward the inferior border of the mandible.

It is crucial to understand and know the submandibular gland relations to the structures described above, as they have the potential to get damaged during surgeries.

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Submandibular gland relations