Question

Which of the following shows the correct pairing for salivary glands in a man?
(a) Parotid $\rightarrow $ Wharton’s duct; Submaxillary $\rightarrow $ Duct of Stensen; Sublingual $\rightarrow $ Duct of Rivinus
(b) Parotid $\rightarrow $ Duct of Rivinus; Submaxillary $\rightarrow $ Wharton’s duct; Sublingual $\rightarrow $ Duct of Stensen
(c) Parotid $\rightarrow $ Duct of Rivinus; Submaxillary $\rightarrow $ Wharton’s duct; Sublingual $\rightarrow $ Duct of Stensen
(d) Parotid $\rightarrow $ Duct of Stensen; Submaxillary $\rightarrow $ Wharton’s duct; Sublingual $\rightarrow $ Duct of Rivinus

Answer 1

Hint: Each pair of salivary glands have separate ducts. Stenson’s duct is associated with the largest major salivary glands whereas the duct of Rivinus is associated with the smallest of the three major salivary glands.

Complete answer:
All the salivary glands have salivary ducts that allow the passage of salivary juice from the glands to the oral cavity. These ducts deliver the saliva that is secreted in the acini of the glands and the intercalated ducts, to the oral cavity where the salivary juices perform their actual function.
The Parotid duct also known as Stenson’s duct connects the parotid glands to the buccal mucosa, adjacent to the second maxillary molar.
Submandibular or Submaxillary duct called as Wharton’s duct connects the submaxillary glands to the floor of the mouth
The sublingual glands drain through a large number of small ducts all of which open into the floor of the mouth and are collectively termed as the Duct of Rivinus.
So, the answer is, “Parotid $\rightarrow $ Duct of Stensen; Submaxillary $\rightarrow $ Wharton’s duct; Sublingual $\rightarrow $ Duct of Rivinus.”

Note: Since there are a pair of salivary glands, these ducts are two in number one on each side.Though the Duct of Rivinus drains the Sublingual glands, the largest among the ducts called the Bartholin’s duct is considered as the major duct for the sublingual glands. It opens in the floor of the mouth.