a. (sb.) [f. mod.L. submaxillāris: see SUB- 1 b and MAXILLARY.]
1. Situated beneath the inferior maxilla.
Submaxillary gland, a salivary gland situated on either side below the lower jaw; hence, pertaining to this gland, esp. of parts connected therewith, as s. artery, duct, fossa, ganglion, vein. Also as sb. (ellipt. for s. artery, etc.).
1787. Med. Comm., II. 369. The submaxillary glands were swollen.
1831. R. Knox, Cloquet’s Anat., 73. An oblong superficial cavity, in which the submaxillary gland is placed.
1831. Youatt, Horse, 120. The submaxillary artery, a branch of the jugular and the parotid duct. Ibid. (1834), Cattle, 335. The sub-maxillary vein returning the blood from the tongue, the mouth, and the face generally.
1836–9. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., II. 214/1. A large depression (the submaxillary fossa) for the reception of the submaxillary gland.
1837. Quain, Elem. Anat. (ed. 4), 812. The submaxillary ganglion,… rests upon the gland just named [sc. the submaxillary].
1871. Darwin, Desc. Man, II. xii. 29. During the season of love, a musky odour is emitted by the submaxillary glands of the crocodile.
2. [f. prec.] Pertaining to the submaxilla.
1884. Coues, N. Amer. Birds, 98. On the under jaw, maxillary or submaxillary line.
