Dentalwiki: Created page with "{{Infobox anatomy | Name = Salivary glands | Image = | Caption = Location of the three pairs of major salivary glands and their associated ducts. | System = Exocrine system, Digestive system | Function = Production of saliva, lubrication, initial digestion, and tooth protection. }} ==Definition== '''Salivary glands''' are exocrine glands in the oral cavity that produce and secrete '''saliva'''. Saliva contains e..."

2026-03-20T02:35:05Z

Created page with "{{Infobox anatomy | Name = Salivary glands | Image = | Caption = Location of the three pairs of major salivary glands and their associated ducts. | System = Exocrine system, Digestive system | Function = Production of saliva, lubrication, initial digestion, and tooth protection. }} ==Definition== '''Salivary glands''' are exocrine glands in the oral cavity that produce and secrete '''saliva'''. Saliva contains e..."

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{{Infobox anatomy
| Name = Salivary glands
| Image =
| Caption = Location of the three pairs of major salivary glands and their associated ducts.
| System = [[Exocrine system]], [[Digestive system]]
| Function = Production of [[saliva]], lubrication, initial [[digestion]], and tooth protection.
}}

==Definition==
'''Salivary glands''' are [[exocrine glands]] in the [[oral cavity]] that produce and secrete '''[[saliva]]'''. Saliva contains enzymes (like [[amylase]]) that begin the breakdown of carbohydrates, as well as mucus, electrolytes, and antimicrobial agents that maintain oral health.

The salivary system is divided into two main groups: the three pairs of **major salivary glands** and hundreds of **minor salivary glands**.

==Major Salivary Glands==

===1. Parotid Gland===
The largest of the salivary glands, located bilaterally in the pre-auricular region (in front of the ears).
* '''Secretory type''': Purely '''serous''' (watery) secretion.
* '''Duct''': '''[[Parotid duct]]''' (Stensen's duct), which opens into the oral vestibule opposite the maxillary second molar.
* '''Innervation''': Secretomotor supply from the '''[[Glossopharyngeal nerve]]''' (CN IX).
* '''Clinical Note''': The '''[[facial nerve]]''' (CN VII) passes through the gland but does not innervate it.

===2. Submandibular Gland===
Located in the submandibular triangle, medial to the body of the [[mandible]].
* '''Secretory type''': Mixed, but predominantly '''serous'''.
* '''Duct''': '''[[Submandibular duct]]''' (Wharton's duct), which opens at the sublingual caruncle at the base of the tongue.
* '''Innervation''': Secretomotor supply from the '''[[Facial nerve]]''' (CN VII) via the chorda tympani.

===3. Sublingual Gland===
The smallest of the major glands, located in the floor of the mouth, superior to the mylohyoid muscle.
* '''Secretory type''': Mixed, but predominantly '''mucous''' (thick).
* '''Duct''': Multiple small ducts (ducts of Rivinus) and the major sublingual duct (Bartholin's duct).
* '''Innervation''': Same as the submandibular gland (CN VII).

==Minor Salivary Glands==
There are 600 to 1,000 minor salivary glands distributed throughout the [[oral mucosa]] (except the anterior hard palate and gingiva). They are primarily mucous-secreting and provide continuous lubrication.

==Microscopic Anatomy==
The functional unit of a salivary gland is the '''[[salivon]]''', which consists of:
* '''Acinus''': A cluster of cells that produce the primary secretion.
* '''Intercalated duct''': Short duct leading from the acinus.
* '''Striated duct''': Involved in the reabsorption of sodium and secretion of potassium, making saliva '''hypotonic'''.
* '''Excretory duct''': The final path to the oral cavity.

==Clinical Significance==
* '''[[Sialolithiasis]]''': The formation of "salivary stones," most common in Wharton's duct due to the upward flow and high calcium content of submandibular saliva.
* '''[[Xerostomia]]''': The subjective feeling of dry mouth, often a side effect of medications or '''[[Sjogren's syndrome]]'''.
* '''[[Mucocele]]''': A common lesion caused by the rupture of a minor salivary gland duct, leading to mucus extravasation into the tissue.
* '''[[Pleomorphic Adenoma]]''': The most common benign tumor of the salivary glands, usually occurring in the parotid.

==See Also==
* [[Saliva]]
* [[Oral mucosa]]
* [[Sialography]]
* [[Mumps]]

[[Category:Anatomy]]
[[Category:Oral Biology]]
[[Category:Oral Pathology]]

Salivary glands - Revision history