Salivary glands

Six salivary glands are found surrounding the mouth cavity. A salivary gland has
two types of secretory cells (serous and mucous) of which in proportion varies
according to the type of the gland. (Shier et al 2015)
Serous cells produce a watery fluid containing salivary amylase (digestive
enzyme). This enzyme spits starch and glycogen molecules into disaccharides
(first step in the chemical digestion of carbohydrates)
Mucous cells secrete a thick fluid called mucus, which binds food particles and
acts as a lubricant when swallowing. (Shier et al 2015)

Major salivary glands

There are 3 pairs of major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular and
sublingual) in the oral cavity and many other minor ones associated with the
mucous membranes of the tongue, palate and cheeks. (Shier et al 2015) Each
pair has a distinctive cellular organization, producing saliva with slightly different
properties.
The parotid glands are the largest. They lie inferior to the zygomatic arch,
covering the lateral and posterior surface of the mandible. (Shier et al 2015) It
has secretory cells that are primarily serous and excretes a clear, watery fluid,
rich in salivary amylase. (Martini et al 2018)
The submandibular glands are located in the floor of the mouth, on the
inside surface of the lower jaw, (Shier et al 2015) within a depression called the
mandibular groove. Their secretory cells are equally serous and mucous, (a
mixture of buffers, glycoproteins called mucins and salivary amylase) however
the fluid is more viscus than that of the parotid glands. (Martini et al 2018)
The sublingual glands, are the smallest of the group and are located
equally at the floor of the mouth, inferior to the tongue and these are covered by
the mucous membrane of the floor of the mouth. These glands produce mucus
that act as a buffer and lubricant. Their secretory cells are primarily mucous,
which makes their fluid thick and stringy. (Martini et al 2018)
Minor salivary glands include some 800-1000 submucosal glands in the oral
cavity. They share an excretory duct and mainly secrete mucus. (Shier et al
2015) These are constantly secreting saliva, either into the oral cavity or
indirectly, through ducts, while we sleep. (Martini et al 2018)
Composition and functions of saliva
An average of 1 to 1.5 liters of saliva is secreted each day. (Rice University.
2017). About 70% of it comes from the submandibular glands, 25% more
comes from the parotid glands, while the remaining 5% from the sublingual
glands. (Martini et al 2018)
Saliva is 99.4% constituted of water. The remains 0.6% includes electrolytes

(mainly Na+, Cl-, and HCO3-) buffers, glycoproteins, antibodies, enzymes and

wastes. (Martini et al 2018) Saliva continuously flushes oral surfaces keeping

them clean. Buffers in the saliva (bicarbonate and phosphate ions) keep the pH
between 6.35 and 6.85 (Rice University. 2017) which prevents the buildup of
acids produced by bacteria. In addition, saliva contains antibodies (IgA) and
lysozyme (both having antimicrobial properties). (Martini et al 2018) Salivary
amylase continues to act even after food is consumed until its inactivated by
stomach acids. (Rice University. 2017).

References:

David Shier, Jackie Butler and Ricki Lewis. (2015). Hole’s essentials of human
anatomy & physiology. Twelfth edition. McGraw-Hill Education, New York, NY.
USA

Frederic H. Martini, Judi L. Nath, Edwin F. Bartholomew; William C. Ober

(2018). Fundamentals of anatomy & physiology. Eleventh edition. | New York:
Pearson Education, Inc. USA

Rice University. (2017). Anatomy and Physiology. Openstax.

https://openstax.org.