Salivary Glands - Anatomy & Physiology

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Introduction

The oral cavity is drained by numerous salivary glands. The saliva secreted keeps the mouth moist and facillitates mastication by lubricating the passage of the bolus.

Salivary gands are present in the cheek, tongue, lips, oesophagus, soft palate and pharynx but the major salivary glands are located further away from the oral cavity and function through connective ducts.

Saliva provides digestive enzymes, is a route of excretion of substances which accumulate on the teeth and provides lubricative and also cleansing functions.

Types of Salivary Glands

Major Salivary Glands

• Parotid (glandula parotis)

• Mandibular (glandula mandibularis)

• Sublingual (glandula sublinguales)

• Zygomatic (glandula zygomatica)

Minor Salivary Glands

• Labial

• Lingual

• Buccal

• Palatine

Innervation

• Sympathetic

   -Vasoconstriction occurs
   -Flow of saliva is decreased

• Parasympathetic (most important)

   -Travel from the brainstem by the facial (CN VII) and glossopharyngeal (CN IX) then into
    branches of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)
   -Flow of salivary fluid increases 
   -Vasodilation occurs

• Main nerves are occulomotor (CN III), facial (CN VII), glossopharyngeal (CN IX) and vagus (CN X)

Links

Salivary Glands Pathology