Salivary Glands Overview

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following conditions is NOT mentioned as a potential cause of dry mouth?

Asthma (correct)

Obesity

Anxiety

Liver cirrhosis

Which type of neoplasm is categorized as benign?

Salivary gland carcinoma

Acinic cell carcinoma

Oral melanoma

Pleomorphic adenoma (correct)

What is a common emotional disturbance that can lead to dry mouth?

Anxiety (correct)

Depression

Psychosis

Bipolar disorder

Which medication type is noted to potentially cause dry mouth?

Anti-anxiety medications Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a malignant neoplasm?

Salivary gland carcinoma Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total saliva volume does the submandibular gland produce?

60-65% Signup and view all the answers

Which duct is associated with the submandibular gland?

Wharton's duct Signup and view all the answers

Where is the sublingual gland located?

Floor of the mouth Signup and view all the answers

What is the main type of saliva produced by the sublingual gland?

Mucous saliva Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve innervates both the submandibular and sublingual glands?

Chorda tympani Signup and view all the answers

What type of gland are the Tubarial glands considered?

Minor salivary gland Signup and view all the answers

Which option best describes the predominant type of secretion in minor salivary glands?

Mucous Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate size of the submandibular gland?

Walnut-sized Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following glands primarily produces less than 10% of mixed saliva?

Minor salivary glands Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary duct associated with the submandibular gland?

Wharton's duct Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding sublingual gland secretion is correct?

It contributes 5-10% of mixed saliva. Signup and view all the answers

What nerve is primarily responsible for the innervation of the submandibular gland?

Chorda tympani Signup and view all the answers

Identify the location of the submandibular gland.

In the submandibular fossa Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is not a minor salivary gland?

Parotid gland Signup and view all the answers

What type of saliva do the submandibular glands primarily produce?

Mixed saliva Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of the inferior dental nerve is associated with the submandibular gland?

Lingual branch Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of serous saliva?

Lubricating food and beginning digestion Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes mucous acini from serous acini?

Mucous acini have a wider lumen and produce viscous secretion Signup and view all the answers

What role do myoepithelial cells play in salivary glands?

They squeeze secretory cells to force saliva out Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of acinar fluid?

Water, inorganic ions, and synthesized small molecules Signup and view all the answers

Which structure surrounds the entirety of the outer portion of a gland?

Capsule Signup and view all the answers

How are serous-mucous acini structured?

Serous cells forming a demilune around mucous cells Signup and view all the answers

Which type of duct is primarily lined by cuboidal epithelial cells?

Intercalated duct Signup and view all the answers

What does the septum within a gland do?

Divides the gland into lobes and lobules Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by dry eyes and destroyed acini in the oral cavity?

Sjögren’s syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of Sjögren’s syndrome in the oral cavity?

Frothy saliva Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is associated with painful swelling of the parotid glands?

Mumps Signup and view all the answers

Xerostomia can occur as a side effect of which of the following treatments?

Radiotherapy Signup and view all the answers

Nicotine Stomatitis results from inflammation of which type of glands?

Minor salivary glands Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is not commonly associated with Sjögren’s syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What does sialosis refer to?

Painless swelling of the parotid glands Signup and view all the answers

After head and neck irradiation, which condition may improve after treatment ends?

Xerostomia Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Submandibular Gland

Largest salivary gland
Located between the mandible and mylohyoid muscle in the submandibular fossa
Secretes 60-65% of total saliva volume
Secretes mixed saliva (serous and mucous)
Has a duct called Wharton’s duct which is 5cm long and opens under the tongue
Innervated by the chorda tympani and the lingual branch of the inferior dental nerve

Sublingual Gland

Smallest of the major salivary glands
Located on the floor of the mouth in the sublingual fossa
Secretes 5-10% of total saliva volume
Secretes primarily mucous saliva (60%)
Has a main duct called Bartholin’s duct and numerous smaller ducts called Rivinus ducts
Innervated by the same nerves as the submandibular gland: chorda tympani and lingual branch of the inferior dental nerve

Minor Salivary Glands

Located throughout the mouth
Contribute >10% of total saliva volume
Produce mixed saliva (primarily mucous)
Responsible for lubricating food and protecting the oral cavity against friction

Salivary Gland Structure

Made up of epithelial tissue and connective tissue
Connective tissue surrounds the epithelium and acts as support, also carrying the nerve and blood supply to the gland
Gland is divided into lobes and lobules by septa

Adenomeres

Secretory units of the salivary glands
Surrounded by connective tissue
Contain acini which are the secretory cells

Acini

Classified as mucous, serous, or a mix of both
Serous acini secrete watery, serous saliva, which helps lubricate food, begin digestion, remove debris and dilute food
Mucous acini secrete viscous, mucin-rich mucous saliva, which binds food into a bolus, protects the oral cavity against friction, and lubricates
Serous-mucous acini have serous secretory cells forming a serous demilune around the mucous cells

Myoepithelial Cells

Surround acini
Contract to squeeze saliva out of the lumen and into the ducts

Acinar Fluid

Not yet fully-formed saliva
Contains water, inorganic ions, small molecules, and products synthesised by cells like mucoproteins and amylase

Ducts

Classified as intercalated, striated, or excretory
Intercalated ducts are lined by cuboidal epithelial cells and are the shortest type of duct
Striated ducts are the longest type of duct and are lined by columnar epithelial cells
Excretory ducts are the main ducts that carry saliva out of the gland

Salivary Gland Disorders

Irradiation: can lead to atrophy of the gland and xerostomia
Sjögren’s syndrome: autoimmune disorder that destroys acini causing dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia), can also be associated with other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud phenomenon
Mumps: acute viral infection with swelling of the parotid glands
Nicotine Stomatitis: inflammation of the minor salivary glands on the palate caused by heat from tobacco use
Sialosis: painless swelling of the parotid glands, can be caused by other medical conditions
Neoplasms: can be benign (e.g. Warthin’s tumour) or malignant (e.g. salivary gland carcinoma)
Functional disorders: Can occur due to emotional disturbances, mouth breathing, smoking, and medications

### Tubarial Glands

Newly discovered glands
Located in the nasopharynx
Secretes seromucous saliva and contributes to lubrication and swallowing

Summary

Salivary glands are important for oral health
Extra-oral examinations should include examination of the salivary glands to identify potential issues

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores the submandibular, sublingual, and minor salivary glands. Learn about their locations, secretions, innervations, and functions in the oral cavity. Test your knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of these essential glands.