Salivary Glands Overview

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of total saliva volume is produced by the parotid glands?

10%

50%

25% (correct)

90%

Which duct is associated with the parotid gland?

Rivinus Duct

Wharton's Duct

Bartholin's Duct

Stensen's Duct (correct)

Which of the following salivary glands produces only serous saliva?

Sublingual glands

Parotid glands (correct)

Submandibular glands

Minor salivary glands

Where are the parotid glands located?

Between the mastoid process and the posterior border of the ramus Signup and view all the answers

What is the main histological structure of salivary glands?

Lobular glandular tissue Signup and view all the answers

What type of secretion is primarily produced by serous acini?

Watery serous secretion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of mucous saliva?

Enzymic action begins digestion Signup and view all the answers

What structure forms a serous demilune around mucous secretory cells in mixed acini?

Serous secretory cell Signup and view all the answers

Which type of duct is primarily responsible for the bulk of the duct system?

Striated duct Signup and view all the answers

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

Myoepithelial cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the submandibular gland?

Secrete predominantly mixed saliva Signup and view all the answers

Where does Wharton's duct open?

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

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

Chorda tympani Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total saliva volume is produced by the sublingual gland?

5-10% Signup and view all the answers

How does the size of the submandibular gland compare to the parotid gland?

Half the size Signup and view all the answers

What type of saliva does the sublingual gland predominantly produce?

Mucous saliva Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Tubarial glands?

They may play a role in lubrication and swallowing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about minor salivary glands is true?

They are named according to their location Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic oral manifestation of Sjögren’s syndrome?

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

Which condition is associated with traumatic erosions and angular chelitis?

Sjögren’s syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What causes nicotine stomatitis?

Inflammation from chronic heat exposure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is NOT typically linked to sialosis?

Rheumatoid arthritis Signup and view all the answers

Which description best characterizes mumps?

An acute viral infection causing parotid gland swelling Signup and view all the answers

What is a common presentation of sialosis?

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

Which statement about benign neoplasms is correct?

Warthin’s tumour is an example of a benign neoplasm Signup and view all the answers

What symptom is associated with nicotine stomatitis?

Dilated duct openings appearing as red dots Signup and view all the answers

What emotional disturbance is commonly associated with dry mouth?

Anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which type of salivary gland tumor is characterized by pleomorphic adenoma?

Pleomorphic adenoma Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is least likely to contribute to dry mouth?

Hydration levels Signup and view all the answers

In the context of salivary gland disorders, what is a common symptom that can indicate a functional disorder?

Dry mouth Signup and view all the answers

Which medication category is commonly associated with causing dry mouth?

Antihistamines Signup and view all the answers

Which salivary gland contributes the least amount of saliva volume?

Minor salivary glands Signup and view all the answers

Which salivary gland is commonly involved in Warthin's tumor?

Parotid gland Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following resources is NOT listed for additional information on salivary glands?

Wiki Page Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Salivary Glands

Major salivary glands are paired and secrete 90% of total saliva volume.
Minor salivary glands are numerous and contribute the remaining 10% of saliva volume.
Major salivary glands include the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

Parotid Glands

Largest salivary glands.
Produce 100% serous saliva.
Contribute 25% of total saliva volume.
Located below the external auditory meatus, between the mastoid process and the posterior border of the ramus.
Duct: Stensen's duct (5cm long), runs parallel to the zygomatic arch and pierces the buccinator muscle. Opens into the oral cavity at the Stensen's papillae.
Innervation: Glossopharyngeal (autonomic) and Auriculotemporal (sensory).
Close association with the Facial nerve.

Submandibular Glands

Produce mixed saliva secretions.
Half the size of the parotid gland.
Contribute 60-65% of total saliva volume.
Located between the body of the mandible and the mylohyoid muscle, in the submandibular fossa.
Duct: Wharton's duct (5cm long), opens under the anterior part of the tongue, lateral to the lingual frenum at the sublingual caruncle.
Innervation: Chorda tympani and Lingual branch of the inferior dental nerve.

Sublingual Glands

Smallest of the major salivary glands.
Produce 60% mucous saliva.
Contribute 5-10% of total saliva volume.
Located on the floor of the mouth in the sublingual fossa.
Duct: Bartholin's duct (main duct), with additional smaller ducts called Rivinus ducts that open along the sublingual fold.
Innervation: Same as the submandibular gland.

Tubarial Glands

Recently discovered.
Located in the nasopharynx.
Contain seromucous acini, playing a role in nasopharynx/oropharynx lubrication and swallowing.

Minor Salivary Glands

Produce 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, providing protection and support.
Connective tissue is divided into the capsule (surrounding the outer portion) and septa (dividing the inner portion into lobes and lobules).
Capsule and septa carry nerve and blood supply.

Adenomeres

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

Acini

Secretory units within the adenomere, composed of secretory cells.
Classified into mucous, serous, or mixed acini.

Serous Acini

Produce watery serous secretion (serous saliva).
Functions include lubricating food, enzymatic digestion, removal of epithelial debris, and diluting food.

Mucous Acini

Produce viscous mucin-rich secretion (mucous saliva).
Functions include binding food into a bolus, protecting the oral cavity from friction, and lubrication.

Serous-Mucous Acini

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

Myoepithelial Cells

Embrace acini secretory cells, contract and squeeze to force saliva out of the lumen into the ducts.

Acinar Fluid

Not saliva yet.
Consists of water, inorganic ions, small molecules, and products synthesized by cells (mucoproteins and amylase).

Ducts

Saliva travels through ducts and undergoes modification via resorption.
Three types of ducts: Intercalated, Striated, and Excretory.

Intercalated Ducts

Lined by a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells.

Striated Ducts

Make up the bulk of the duct system.

Excretory Ducts

Lead to the oral cavity.

Salivary Gland Disorders

Sjögren's syndrome: Immunological disorder causing dry eyes and dry mouth, with symptoms like erythema, thinning mucosa, fissuring, and depapillation of the tongue.
Mumps: Acute viral infection causing inflammation and swelling of the parotid glands.
Nicotine stomatitis: Inflammation of the minor salivary glands on the palate due to heat from tobacco use.
Sialosis: Painless swelling of the parotid glands, not caused by inflammation or infection. Can occur on its own or as a result of other medical conditions (liver cirrhosis, bulimia, diabetes, pregnancy, obesity, kidney failure).
Neoplasms (tumors): Can be benign (e.g., Warthin's tumor, Pleomorphic adenoma) or malignant (e.g., Salivary gland carcinoma, Acinic cell carcinoma).
Functional Disorders: Dry mouth caused by emotional disturbances, mouth breathing, smoking, and medications.

Summary Table

Salivary Gland	Position	Duct	% of Total Saliva Volume	Innervation
Parotid	Below the external auditory meatus, between the mastoid process and the posterior border of the ramus	Stensen's duct	25%	Glossopharyngeal (autonomic) and Auriculotemporal (sensory)
Submandibular	Between the body of the mandible and the mylohyoid muscle, in the submandibular fossa	Wharton's duct	60-65%	Chorda tympani and Lingual branch of the inferior dental nerve
Sublingual	Floor of the mouth in the sublingual fossa	Bartholin's duct & Rivinus ducts	5-10%	Same as the submandibular gland
Tubarial	Nasopharynx	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified

It is important to include salivary glands in your extra-oral examination.
The extra-oral examination includes examining the face, neck, and head for abnormalities.

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Description

This quiz covers the major and minor salivary glands, with a focus on the anatomy, function, and innervation of the parotid and submandibular glands. Test your knowledge of their secretions, locations, and contributions to saliva volume. Ideal for students studying human anatomy and physiology.