‫جامعة بنها‬

‫كلية الطب البيطري‬

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Composition and functions of saliva :‫عنوان البحث‬

:‫اسم الطالب‬
Mohammed Ismail Abdul Samad Ismail Hegazy
physiology :‫المادة‬
2254 :‫رقم الجلوس‬
Mohamed18378@fvtm.bu.eg :‫البريد التعليمي‬
01277952085 :‫رقم التلفون‬

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

 To study terms in saliva field

  Explain the components of saliva
 Properties of saliva
 Explain the functions and importance of each component of them
 The reasons that lead to an increase in its composition
INTRODUCTION

Saliva is a glandular secretion found in the oral cavity. It is secreted from

submandibular gland, sublingual and parotid glands. They are all secretory
glands. There are many who do not know the importance of saliva,
however it seems necessary to those whosuffer from a lack of saliva. For
example, decreased salivation may appear as deterioration in oral health,
such as: mouth pain, tooth decay and infections.(1)

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

 Nomenclature: ‫ـ‬1 ‫ ـ‬Saliva: mixture of secretions in the oral cavity

whole saliva (mixed saliva), oral fluid. 2‫ـ‬parotid saliva: - parotid cup
submandibular saliva. 3‫ ـ‬submandibular / sublingual saliva minor
salivary gland secretions: - micro capillary tube, filter paper. 4‫ـ‬
gingival crevicular fluid: - micro capillary tube, filter paper
unstimulated saliva: no stimulants. resting saliva: ideal (not
appropriate) (2)
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Saliva is a glandular secretion found in the oral cavity. It is secreted from
submandibular gland, sublingual and parotid glands. As each gland secretes
a certain amount of the total saliva daily. (3)

Name of Salivary gland Salivary gland % of total saliva

parotid 25
Submandibular 71
sublingual 3-4
Saliva secretion: Two stage hypothesis JH Thaysen
a) First stage: production of isotonic primary
b) Second stage: reabsorption of Na+ and Cl results in hypotonic
secondary saliva

Composition: Saliva consists mainly of water in the ratio of 99.5 % in

addition to organic such as (Proteins‫ ـ‬Lipids ‫ ـ‬Sugars ‫ـ‬Amino ‫ ـ‬acids ‫ـ‬
Metabolites ‫ ـ‬Hormones Vitamins) and inorganic components such as (Na+/

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K+ / Ca2+/ Mg2+/ Cl-/ PO4 3-/ HCO3-/ F- SCN- / OSCN-) , Saliva also
contains some enzymes that are necessary in digesting starch and fats in
food and breaking them down to facilitate digestion. These enzymes also
play a role in breaking down food particles entrapped within dental crevices,
thus protecting teeth from bacterial deca. Various animal species have
special uses for saliva that go beyond predigestion. Some swifts use their
gummy saliva to build nests.   Aerodromes nests form the basis of bird's nest
soup. Cobras, vipers, and certain other members of the venom clade hunt
with venomous saliva injected by fangs. Some caterpillars produce silk fiber
from silk proteins stored in modified salivary glands.(4)

 Properties:

Properties of saliva

Ph 6.5-7.5
Specific gravity 1.01-1.02
Viscosity 0.9-4
Lubrication 63±7 %Glycerol
freezing point 0.34-0.70 °C
Ash 0.2 g%
Dry substance 0.1-1.0 g%
Total volume 1-1.5 l/d

Functions: The digestive functions of saliva include moistening food, and

helping to create a food bolus, so it can be swallowed easily.

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Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks some starches down into
maltose and dextrin.

Thus, digestion of food occurs within the mouth, even before food reaches
the stomach.

a) Keep your mouth moisted and comfortable.

b) Helps you chew, taste, swallow.
c) Fight germs in your mouth and prevent bad breath.
d) Has protein and minerals that protect tooth enamel, and tooth decay
e) Helps keep dentures securely in place (5)
 Hyper salivation: It is not a disease but it is sometimes a symptom of
other diseases. These diseases can range from common, easily
treatable causes to rare diseases (6)
f) Causes:

1) Frequent salivation
2) Difficulty swallowing and removing saliva from the mouth
3) Difficulty closing the mouth from too much saliva
4) lost control of the lips and the head
5) Get open mouth most of the time
 Symptoms

Frequent salivation, spitting and swallowing

 Treatment

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  Treatment: may include alteration or modification of behavior and
speech therapy. People with a lot of disease may produce saliva by
helping to control their head. They can also learn the methods of
closing the lips, the ability to better control the tongue, and swallow.
 Medication: The purpose of a drug that is frequent in saliva formation
is to reduce saliva production. Anticholinergic drugs may be used.(7)

SUMMARY

Saliva is a clean liquid that exists in the mouth and has many functions,
including defensive ones, where it destroys germs and foreign bodies
because it contains enzymes. It also helps in the process of digesting starch
and fats, as well as moisturizing the mouth. Scientists have identified three
biomarkers for detecting mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
in saliva 

REFERENCES

1. Duckworth RM. The teeth and their environment: Physical, chemical

and biochemical influences. Monographs in Oral Sciences. Vol 19,
2006.
2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/saliva.htm
3. Fejerskov O, Kidd E. Dental caries: The disease and its clinical
management. 2003, Blackwell Munksgaard, Oxford.
4. Newbrun E. Cariology. 1989. 3rd ed. Quintessence Publishing,
Chicago.

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5. Tenovuo JO. Human Saliva: Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology.
vol. I & II, 1989, CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, United States
6. T.zelles , 1st January 1 Edgar WM and O'Mullane DM. Saliva and
Oral Health, 1996, Thanet Press Ltd, Margate, Great Britain.
7. 981, saliva and salivation , Elsevier Science
8. 981, saliva and salivation , Elsevier Science