Floor of Mouth July 7, 2023 by Floor of Mouth Floor of Mouth Normal Anatomy - Submandibular Ducts The two saliva glands right under the jaw are called submandibular glands, and these drain saliva into the mouth through ducts that pass under the tongue. These are smooth swellings just behind the teeth under the tongue that have tiny holes at the middle part of the mouth through which saliva drains. Floor of Mouth Benign Change - Ranula This is an example of a ranula. These are benign, and they represent mucus that is being released under the surface. They often result from trauma or surgery in the floor of mouth. If they continue to get bigger, surgery may be needed to treat it. Floor of Mouth Benign Change - Ranula This is a view of a ranula, which is essentially a space under the tongue that fills up with saliva. They often occur after trauma under the tongue where the normal drainage of salivary tissue gets affected and results in saliva getting expressed under the surface. They are benign (not cancer) but can get large and should be assessed by a physician. Floor of Mouth Precancer - Leukoplakia White changes cancer be seen in the floor of the mouth. While the majority of uniform white lesions are benign, a biopsy may be needed as some cancer be cancer or precancer. Floor of Mouth Precancer - Ventral tongue leukoplakia This persistent area under the tongue should be evaluated by a medical professional as it may be cancer or precancer. Floor of Mouth Precancer - Ventral tongue leukoplakia This persistent area under the tongue should be evaluated by a medical professional as it may be cancer or precancer. Floor of Mouth Cancer - Mucoepidermoid carcinoma This is a view of the area under someone’s tongue, just behind the lower front teeth. It is a small cancer of the salivary gland that sits under the tongue (the sublingual gland). It presented as a slowly growing firm mass but can also present as an enlarging ulcer or sore. Any sore in the mouth or throat that does not improve after 2 weeks should be assessed by a medical professional. Floor of Mouth Cancer - Squamous cell carcinoma This is a large cancer of the floor of the mouth or the area under the tongue that has extended out to involve the jawbone. Any progressive mass or sore in the mouth or throat lasting longer than 2 weeks should be seen urgently by a medical professional. Floor of Mouth Cancer - Squamous cell carcinoma This is a small squamous cell cancer that started in the area just under the tongue (the floor of mouth). Floor of Mouth Cancer - Squamous cell carcinoma This is a cancer of the side of the tongue that has extended under the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Any patient with such a persistent sore should seek immediate medical attention.