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Questions and Answers
Stimulation of which part of the nervous system results in increased salivary flow?
Stimulation of which part of the nervous system results in increased salivary flow?
Which of the following is NOT an organic component of saliva?
Which of the following is NOT an organic component of saliva?
Which of these is a primary function of salivary amylase?
Which of these is a primary function of salivary amylase?
What is the primary role of mucins in saliva?
What is the primary role of mucins in saliva?
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Which of the following is NOT a factor that can increase salivary flow?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that can increase salivary flow?
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What is the key mechanism by which bicarbonate in saliva aids in protecting teeth?
What is the key mechanism by which bicarbonate in saliva aids in protecting teeth?
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How does saliva facilitate taste perception?
How does saliva facilitate taste perception?
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What is the primary role of immunoglobulins in saliva?
What is the primary role of immunoglobulins in saliva?
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Study Notes
Saliva Composition and Function
- Saliva is primarily water (99.5%) with a small amount of solids (0.5%).
- Organic components include mucins (lubrication), enzymes (amylase for starch, lysozyme for bacteria, lactoferrin), immunoglobulins (antimicrobial), waste products (urea, ammonia, uric acid), and cells (epithelial, white blood cells, bacteria).
- Inorganic components include ions like calcium, phosphate (remineralization), bicarbonate (buffering), fluoride (resistance to decay), sodium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium.
Saliva Functions
- Protection: Forms a pellicle protecting enamel, lubricates oral tissues, aiding speech.
- Buffering: Bicarbonate maintains pH balance, preventing extreme acidity.
- Digestion: Salivary amylase begins starch breakdown.
- Antimicrobial: Immunoglobulins and enzymes like lysozyme inhibit bacteria.
- Taste: Dissolves food particles, enabling taste perception.
- Tooth integrity: Calcium and phosphate aid remineralization, strengthening enamel.
Salivation Mechanism
- Stimuli: Salivation is triggered by sensory inputs like sight, smell, and taste.
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Nervous control:
- Parasympathetic: Increases saliva production when relaxed or eating (vasodilation).
- Sympathetic: Decreases salivation during stressful situations (vasoconstriction).
Factors Impacting Salivary Flow
- Increased Flow: Stimulated by chewing, irritants, hunger, or the sight/smell of food.
- Decreased Flow: Medications (e.g., antihistamines, antidepressants), diabetes, alcohol, stress, radiotherapy, or surgery can decrease salivation.
- Xerostomia (Dry Mouth): Results from decreased flow, causing difficulty swallowing, dental caries, and oral infections.
- Hypersalivation: Excessive saliva production due to irritants, gingival conditions or teething.
Additional Saliva Components
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Enzymes: Amylase(ptyalin), maltase, lingual lipase, lysozyme, phosphatase, carbonic anhydrase, kallikrein.
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Other Organic Substances: Mucins, albumins, proline-rich proteins, lactoferrin, blood group antigens, free amino acids, nitrogenous substances (urea, uric acid, creatinine, xanthine).
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Inorganic Substances: Sodium, calcium, potassium, bicarbonate, bromide, chloride, fluoride, phosphate.
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Gases: Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen.
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Note: Glucose is typically absent in saliva but may be present in individuals with diabetes.
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Description
Explore the essential components and functions of saliva in this quiz. Learn about its organic and inorganic elements as well as its critical roles in protection, digestion, and taste perception. Discover how saliva contributes to oral health and maintaining tooth integrity.
