Okay, let's tackle this question about the commonest salivary gland to get stones. First, I need to recall which salivary glands are most prone to sialolithiasis. From what I remember, the major salivary glands are the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

Sialolithiasis refers to the formation of stones in these glands. The parotid gland is the largest, but I think the submandibular gland is more prone to stones. Why is that? Maybe because the saliva from the submandibular gland is more viscous or has a higher calcium content? Also, the duct of the submandibular gland (Wharton's duct) is longer and narrower compared to the Stensen's duct of the parotid. The orientation of the duct might also play a role—since Wharton's duct goes upward into the gland, gravity might hinder the flow, leading to stagnation and stone formation.

Now, looking at the options, the correct answer should be the submandibular gland. The wrong options would be the parotid, sublingual, and maybe other minor glands. The sublingual gland is less likely because it's smaller and has shorter ducts. Parotid stones are less common because their ducts are more horizontal, allowing easier drainage.

I should also remember that submandibular stones account for about 80-90% of all sialolithiasis cases. That's a high-yield fact. So the clinical pearl here is that the submandibular gland is the most common site, and the reason relates to duct anatomy and saliva composition. Let me make sure I didn't mix up the duct names—Wharton's duct is indeed for the submandibular, and Stensen's for the parotid. Yeah, that's right. So the correct answer is the submandibular gland.

**Core Concept**
Sialolithiasis refers to the formation of calculi (stones) in salivary glands. The **submandibular gland** is most commonly affected due to its ductal anatomy and saliva composition. Saliva from this gland is mucinous and rich in calcium, promoting stone formation.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The **submandibular gland** (via Wharton’s duct) is the most frequent site of salivary stones. Its duct is long, narrow, and ascends into the gland, creating a retrograde flow against gravity. This stagnation, combined with high calcium content in the saliva, fosters calcification. Stones here cause obstructive sialadenitis, especially during dehydration or fasting.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A: Parotid gland** – Less common due to shorter, wider Stensen’s duct and predominantly serous saliva with lower calcium.
**Option B: Sublingual gland** – Rarely affected due to small size and short, multiple ducts (Rivinus ducts).
**Option C: Minor salivary glands** – Stones here are uncommon and typically occur in the palate or lips, not the major glands.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
> **"Submandibular stones: Wharton’s woes!"** Remember the submandibular gland accounts for **80

✓ Correct Answer: B. Submandibular