Anatomy

Salivary Gland Anatomy

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Salivary Gland Anatomy, Salivary Gland, Saliva

  • See Also
  1. Anatomy of the Head and Neck
  2. Parotid Gland
  3. Submandibular Gland
  4. Sublingual Gland
  5. Sialadenitis
  6. Sialolithiasis
  7. Salivary Gland Tumor
  • Anatomy
  1. Minor Salivary Glands
    1. Hundreds throughout mouth
    2. Line the mucosa of the lips, Tongue and oropharynx
  2. Major Salivary Glands (3 on each side of face)
    1. Parotid Gland (cheek)
    2. Submandibular Gland (under angle of the jaw)
    3. Sublingual Gland (under Tongue)
  • Physiology
  1. Saliva function
    1. Controls oral pH
    2. Assists with food intake
      1. Lubricates food bolus
      2. Contains amylase for CarbohydrateDigestion
    3. Mouth cleansing and Oral Hygiene
      1. Saliva limits oral pathogen growth
      2. Reduces oral odor (halitosis)
  2. Differential Saliva production by glands
    1. Unstimulated Salivation (Salivary Gland at rest)
      1. 1.5 Liters produced per day (basal rate)
      2. Major Salivary Glands: 90% of Saliva produced
      3. Submandibular and Sublingual Glands: 70% of Saliva
    2. Stimulated Salivation
      1. Saliva production increases 5 fold
      2. Parotid Gland produces majority of Saliva
  3. Innervation
    1. Parasympathetic innervation to major Salivary Glands
      1. Otic Ganglion fibers supply Parotid Gland
      2. Submandibular Ganglion supplies other major glands
    2. Sympathetic innervation promotes Saliva flow
      1. Stimulates Muscle Contractions at Salivary ducts
  • Associated Conditions
  • Pathologic Salivary Gland Conditions
  1. Sialadenitis (Salivary Gland Infection)
  2. Sialolithiasis (Salivary duct calculus)
  3. Ptyalism or Sialorrhea (Drooling)
  4. Xerostomia (Decreased Saliva Secretion)
  5. Salivary Gland Tumor
  6. Salivary Gland Enlargement