Salivary Glands: Structure and Function
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Questions and Answers

What is the shape of the functional unit of the salivary glands?

  • Cubical
  • Cylindrical
  • Pyramidal
  • Roughly spherical or tubular (correct)
  • What is the main function of the myoepithelial cells?

  • Support for the acini and intercalated ducts during active secretion of saliva (correct)
  • Production of saliva
  • Modification of saliva
  • Secretion of saliva
  • What is the characteristic of the cytoplasm of striated duct cells?

  • Eosinophilic
  • Basophilic
  • Pale, acidophilic (correct)
  • Darkly stained
  • What is the location of the excretory ducts?

    <p>In the connective tissue septa between the lobules of the gland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of the nucleus of serous acini?

    <p>Central and rounded</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the type of glands stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system?

    <p>Exocrine glands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the secretion of serous glands?

    <p>Enzymatic action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the shape of the myoepithelial cells?

    <p>Stellate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main type of protein secreted by serous glands?

    <p>Alpha-amylase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following glands is classified as a mixed gland?

    <p>Submandibular gland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the daily production range of saliva in humans?

    <p>0.5 to 1.5 liters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where do the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity?

    <p>Opposite the second molar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of secretion do mucous glands primarily produce?

    <p>Thick, viscous secretion for protection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gland is the largest of the salivary glands?

    <p>Parotid gland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the composition of salivary glands derived from?

    <p>Oral epithelium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What viral infection is associated with the parotid glands?

    <p>Mumps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of saliva in the oral cavity is produced by the submandibular glands?

    <p>70%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of secretion is primarily produced by the sublingual glands?

    <p>Mucous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is responsible for carrying saliva from submandibular glands to the oral cavity?

    <p>Submandibular duct (Wharton duct)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are minor salivary glands primarily located?

    <p>Throughout the oral cavity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the minor salivary glands?

    <p>Coat the oral cavity with saliva</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of epithelium lines the intercalated ducts in the salivary glands?

    <p>Simple cuboidal epithelium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ducts constitute the largest portion of the duct system in salivary glands?

    <p>Striated ducts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of minor salivary glands compared to major salivary glands?

    <p>They are smaller and not encapsulated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Salivary Glands

    • Exocrine glands that produce saliva through a system of ducts
    • Three paired major salivary glands: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual
    • Hundreds of minor salivary glands
    • Classification:
      • Serous glands: thin, watery secretion rich in enzymes (e.g., parotid gland)
      • Mucous glands: thick, viscous secretion for protection and lubrication (e.g., sublingual salivary gland)
      • Mixed glands (seromucous): both watery and viscous material (e.g., submandibular salivary gland)

    Histology of Salivary Glands

    • Composed of parenchyma elements derived from oral epithelium
    • Consists of secretary end pieces (acini) and ducts that open into the oral cavity
    • Connective tissue forms a capsule around the gland and extends into it, dividing groups of secretary units and ducts into lobes and lobules

    Major Salivary Glands

    • Parotid gland: largest of the salivary glands, secretes saliva to facilitate mastication and swallowing, and amylase to begin the digestion of starches
      • Serous type of gland, secretes alpha-amylase
      • Enters the oral cavity via the parotid duct (Stensen's duct) opposite the second molar
      • Produces 20% of the total salivary content in the oral cavity
    • Submandibular gland: a pair of major salivary glands located beneath the lower jaws, superior to the digastric muscles
      • Secretion produced is a mixture of both serous fluid and mucus
      • Enters the oral cavity via the submandibular duct or Wharton's duct
      • Produces around 70% of saliva in the oral cavity
    • Sublingual gland: a pair of major salivary glands located inferior to the tongue, anterior to the submandibular glands
      • Secretion produced is mainly mucous in nature
      • About 5% of saliva entering the oral cavity comes from these glands

    Minor Salivary Glands

    • Around 800 to 1,000 minor salivary glands are located throughout the oral cavity
    • Located in the tissue of the buccal, labial, and lingual mucosa, the soft palate, the lateral parts of the hard palate, and the floor of the mouth
    • Ducts are not encapsulated by connective tissue, only surrounded by it
    • Secretion is mainly mucous in nature, and has many functions such as coating the oral cavity with saliva

    Ducts

    • Intercalated ducts: primary saliva produced by the secretory end pieces passes first through these ducts
      • Lined by a simple cuboidal epithelium
      • Smaller in diameter than the end pieces, and their lumina are larger than those of the end pieces
    • Striated ducts: receive the primary saliva from the intercalated ducts
      • Located within the lobules of the gland, that is, intralobular
      • Striated duct cells are columnar, with a centrally placed nucleus and pale, acidophilic cytoplasm
    • Excretory ducts: located in the connective tissue septa between the lobules of the gland, that is, in an extralobular or interlobular location
      • Larger in diameter than striated ducts, and typically have a pseudostratified epithelium with columnar cells

    Functional Unit of the Salivary Glands

    • The terminal secretory piece called acini, with a roughly spherical or tubular shape
    • Consists of branched ducts for the passage of the saliva and plays an important role in the production and modification of saliva

    Myoepithelial Cells

    • Contractile cells (contain the contractile filaments actin and myosin)
    • Have many similarities to smooth muscle but are derived from epithelium
    • Present around the secretary acini, with a stellate shape and resemble the basket cradling the secretary units
    • Contraction of these cells is thought to provide support for the acini and intercalated ducts during active secretion of saliva

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    Salivary Gland PDF

    Description

    Learn about the salivary glands, their types, and functions in producing saliva. This quiz covers the major and minor salivary glands and their secretions.

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