Labial and buccal minor salivary glands of the dog – location, three‐dimensional arrangement and histology

Objective Transplantation of minor salivary glands (MSGs) to the conjunctiva is a treatment option for patients suffering from dry eye disease. As there is not enough information about labial and buccal MSGs in dogs, the aim of this study was to provide evidence of the presence of these glands and to investigate their spatial arrangement and excretory ducts. Methods The oral mucosa of the lower lip of 4 dogs and the whole lower jaw of 1 dog were used for histological and microCT analysis. Presence, number, volumes and the tissue depth of MSGs were assessed. Results Histological analysis showed that compact tubulo‐acinar glands were located in the submucosal connective tissue. MicroCT images revealed that 9 to 21 MSGs were arranged in a single row at the level of the dental alveolae. The volume of the MSGs increased from rostral to caudal and the total volume of glandular tissue per animal ranged from 35.01 mm3 to 549.43 mm3. The mean tissue depth of MSGs ranged from 0.57 mm to 1.37 mm (upper surface of glands) and between 1.43 mm and 3.09 mm (lower surface of the glands). Excretory ducts left the dorsal part of the glands and ran in dorso‐rostral direction. Conclusions The location, number and volume of the labial and buccal MSGs in the dog could be detected and described using microCT scans and histology. The present results can provide valuable information for future transplantation of labial MSGs as therapeutic measure against keratoconjunctivitis sicca.