Salivary Glands Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following glands is responsible for producing 100% serous saliva?

Submandibular glands

Minor salivary glands

Sublingual glands

Parotid glands (correct)

Which pair of salivary glands accounts for 25% of the total salivary volume?

Minor salivary glands

Submandibular glands

Parotid glands (correct)

Sublingual glands

What is the name of the duct associated with the parotid glands?

Wharton's duct

Stensen's duct (correct)

Rivinus duct

Bartholin's duct

Which of the following is NOT one of the major salivary glands?

Buccal glands Signup and view all the answers

Which major salivary gland is positioned below the external auditory meatus?

Parotid glands Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the total salivary production is attributed to the major salivary glands?

90% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the histological structure of salivary glands?

Cuboidal to columnar epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Xerostomia refers to which condition related to the salivary glands?

Dry mouth due to reduced saliva production Signup and view all the answers

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

60-65% Signup and view all the answers

Where does Wharton's duct open in the oral cavity?

Lateral to the lingual fraenum at the sublingual caruncle Signup and view all the answers

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

Mucous saliva Signup and view all the answers

Which gland is the smallest among the major salivary glands?

Sublingual gland Signup and view all the answers

What role do the tubarial glands potentially play in the body?

Lubricating the nasopharynx and oropharynx Signup and view all the answers

Which nerves provide the innervation to the submandibular gland?

Chorda tympani and lingual branch of the inferior dental nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an adenomere in a salivary gland?

Producing saliva Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total saliva volume do minor salivary glands contribute?

<blockquote> 10% </blockquote> Signup and view all the answers

What type of secretion is produced by serous acini?

Watery and serous Signup and view all the answers

Which function is NOT associated with mucous saliva?

Removing epithelial debris Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes striated ducts from intercalated ducts?

Striated ducts make up the bulk of the duct system Signup and view all the answers

Which cells are responsible for forcing saliva out of the acini?

Myoepithelial cells Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a component of acinar fluid?

Digestive hormones Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelial cells line the secretory duct of the salivary glands?

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Which structures supply blood to the salivary glands?

External carotid artery Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the salivary nuclei in the brain to stimulate salivation?

Taste, smells, and thoughts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a cause of hyposalivation?

Viral infections Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by calcium deposits forming in the ducts of salivary glands?

Obstruction Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cyst is formed due to trauma to the salivary gland or duct?

Mucocele Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of head and neck irradiation on salivary glands?

Destruction of secretory cells Signup and view all the answers

What type of changes occur at the opening of the salivary duct?

Stratified cuboidal to stratified squamous Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential effect of Sjögren’s syndrome on the oral cavity?

Mild erythema and thinning of the mucosa Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by painful swelling of the parotid glands?

Mumps Signup and view all the answers

What type of swelling does sialosis cause in the parotid glands?

Painless swelling Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT commonly associated with Sjögren’s syndrome?

Hyperactivity Signup and view all the answers

Nicotine Stomatitis is primarily caused by inflammation of which glands?

Minor salivary glands on the palate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medical conditions could lead to sialosis?

Liver cirrhosis Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes benign tumors from malignant tumors?

Ability to metastasize Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of Nicotine Stomatitis?

Red dots at duct openings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Salivary Glands

Major salivary glands are parotid, submandibular, and sublingual.
Minor salivary glands are scattered throughout the oral cavity.
Major salivary glands produce 90% of the total salivary volume.

Parotid Gland

Largest salivary gland.
Produces 100% serous saliva.
Contributes 25% of total saliva volume.
Located below the external auditory meatus and between the mastoid process and the posterior border of the ramus.
The duct is called Stensen’s or Parotid Duct.
Runs from the gland outside the masseter muscle, parallel to and 1cm below the zygomatic arch.
Pierces the buccinator muscle, opening into the oral cavity via the Stensen’s papillae.
Nerve Innervation:
- Glossopharyngeal (autonomic)
- Auriculotemporal (sensory)
- Facial nerve (intimate association)

Submandibular Gland

Mixed saliva secretions.
Half the size of the parotid gland (walnut size).
Produces 60-65% of total saliva volume.
Located between the body of the mandible and the mylohyoid muscle in the submandibular fossa.
The duct is called Wharton’s duct.
Runs 5cm long.
Opens under the anterior part of the tongue, lateral to the lingual frenum at the sublingual caruncle.
Nerve Innervation:
- Chorda tympani
- Lingual branch of the inferior dental nerve.

Sublingual Gland

60% mucous saliva.
Smallest of the major salivary glands (almond size).
Produces 5-10% of total saliva volume.
Located in the floor of the mouth in the sublingual fossa.
The duct is called Bartholin’s duct.
10-20 smaller ducts (Rivinus ducts) open along the sublingual fold.
Nerve Innervation:
- Same as the submandibular gland

Tubarial Glands

Found in the nasopharynx.
Likely contribute to nasopharynx/oropharynx lubrication and swallowing.

Minor Salivary Glands

Mixed saliva, predominantly mucous.
Produce lots of salivary proteins.
Contribute >10% of the total saliva volume.
Named according to their location, e.g. buccal or labial salivary glands.

Salivary Gland Structure

Epithelium: Lines the ducts and produces saliva.
Connective tissue: Surrounds the epithelium, protects and supports the gland.
- Capsule: Surrounds the entire outer portion of the gland
- Septa: Divides the inner portion of the gland into lobes and smaller lobules.
Capsule and septa carry nerve and blood supply to the cells.

Adenomeres

Working part of a salivary gland, surrounded by connective tissue.

Acini

Secretory units within the adenomere, made of secretory cells with bases resting on connective tissue.
Classifications:
- Mucous acini
- Serous acini
- Mixed

Serous Acini

Serous secretory cells.
Produce watery serous secretion (serous saliva).
Functions:
- Lubricating food
- Initiating enzymatic digestion
- Removing epithelial debris
- Diluting food.

Mucous Acini

Mucous secretory cells.
Wider lumen.
Produce viscous mucin-rich secretion (mucous saliva).
Functions:
- Binding food into a bolus
- Protecting the oral cavity against frictional abrasion
- Lubrication

Serous-Mucous Acini

Serous secretory cells form a serous demilune around mucous secretory cells.

Myoepithelial Cells

Embrace the acini secretory cells.
Contract and squeeze, forcing saliva out of the lumen and into ducts.

Acinar Fluid (Not Saliva)

Consists of:
- Water
- Inorganic ions
- Small molecules and products synthesized by cells (mucoproteins and amylase)

Ducts

Saliva travels and is further modified via resorption.
Three types:
- Intercalated
- Striated
- Excretory

Intercalated Ducts

Single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells.

Striated Ducts

Bulk of the duct system.
Single layer of columnar epithelial cells with basal striations.
Aids in saliva modification.

Excretory (Terminal) Ducts

Secretory duct.
Saliva exits into the oral cavity through this duct.
Lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium, which changes to stratified cuboidal and then stratified squamous epithelium at the opening.

Blood Supply

Supplied by the external carotid artery (plus facial and lingual artery), with vessels and nerves entering the gland at the hilum.
Two capillary networks: one for the secretory end piece and one for the ducts.

Control of Salivation

Salivary nuclei in the brain are stimulated by taste, smells, thoughts, etc.
This triggers neurotransmitter release from nerve endings of salivary glands.

Disorders of the Salivary Glands

Hyposalivation

Can be caused by:
- Medications or tablets
- Radiotherapy
- Autoimmune diseases
- Diabetes
- Salivary stones
Determine whether the cause is reversible or irreversible.

Obstruction

Caniculi: Calcium deposits in the ducts. Common in the submandibular glands, can lead to infection or inflammation.
Cysts: Trauma to the salivary gland or duct, causing saliva accumulation in surrounding tissue.
- Mucocele: Minor glands
- Ranula: Major glands in the floor of the mouth (could be submandibular or sublingual).

Irradiation

Head and neck irradiation destroys secretory cells, leading to atrophy and xerostomia.

Degenerative

Sjögren’s syndrome: An immunological disorder causing:
- Dry eyes
- Acini destroyed

Inflammation/Infection

Mumps: Acute viral infection causing inflammation and painful swelling of the parotid glands.
Nicotine stomatitis: Inflammation of minor salivary glands located on the palate in response to heat from tobacco use.

Sialosis

Painless swelling of the parotid glands, not caused by inflammation or infection.
Can occur alone or as a result of other medical conditions, such as:
- Liver cirrhosis
- Bulimia
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Kidney failure

Neoplasms (Tumors)

Can be benign or malignant.
Benign examples: Warthin's tumor
Malignant examples: ...

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Description

This quiz covers the major and minor salivary glands, focusing on their structure, function, and innervation. Learn about the parotid and submandibular glands, including their specific contributions to saliva production and their anatomical locations. Test your knowledge on the important roles these glands play in oral health.