Sublingual space

A periapical abscess may spread into the sublingual space if the apex of the tooth is above the level of attachment of mylohyoid, and the infection erodes through the lingual cortical plate of the mandible.

Signs and symptoms of a sublingual space infection might include a firm, painful swelling in the anterior part of the floor of the mouth.

A sublingual abscess may elevate the tongue and cause drooling or dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

Ludwig's angina is a serious infection involving the submandibular, sublingual and submental spaces bilaterally.

[3] Ludwig's angina may extend into the pharyngeal and cervical spaces, and the swelling can compress the airway and cause dyspnoea (difficulty breathing).

Diagram of medial surface of the mandible, showing the slanting attachment of mylohyoid (the mylohyoid line). This arrangement means that the apices of posterior teeth are more likely to be below the level of mylohyoid, so a periapical abscess associated with posterior teeth is more likely to spread into the submandibular space .
Diagram showing sublingual gland in sublingual space