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 glands from 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 mean length 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<0.001). In the histological findings the molar gland was surrounded with a dens irregular connective tissue capsule. The septa of the connective tissue from the capsule extended into the gland, dividing the organ into lobes and lobules. The secretory cells made up seromucous units and the mucous cells were predominant. The cells were arranged as compound tubuloacinar type. Most of the tubular units were long and branched, and there were no intercalated or striated ducts.