Salivation and Swallowing

What percentage of saliva by volume is secreted by the submaxillary or submandibular glands?

Which of the following is NOT a function of saliva?

What is the total volume of saliva produced per day by the salivary glands?

What is the main composition of the initial fluid secreted by the acinar cells?

Which salivary gland produces 5% of saliva by volume?

What is unique about the structure of serous acini compared to mucus acini?

What is the function of the main excretory duct of each gland?

What is the pH of stimulated saliva?

What is the primary function of salivary amylase?

What is the role of lysozyme in saliva?

What is the function of saliva in facilitating taste?

What is the consequence of not thoroughly chewing a dry soda cracker?

What is the primary function of salivary immunoglobulins?

What is the role of Cl- in saliva?

What is the consequence of lacking lysozyme in saliva?

What is the primary function of saliva in relation to the teeth?

Salivary Functions

Saliva has four important functions: softening and moisturizing food, facilitating digestion of starch, enhancing taste, and providing defense against bacteria and viruses.

Salivary Glands

There are three pairs of major salivary glands and many minor salivary glands that produce approximately 1-1.5 liters of saliva per day.
The three pairs of major salivary glands are:
- Parotid glands (25% of saliva by volume)
- Submaxillary or submandibular glands (70% of saliva by volume)
- Sublingual glands (5% of saliva by volume)
Minor salivary glands include:
- Lingual Mucus Glands
- Lingual Serous Glands
- Buccal Glands (molar glands)
- Labial Glands

Structure of Salivary Glands

Salivary glands are exocrine glands with secretory epithelium arranged in grape-like clusters of cells called acini.
Each acinus surrounds a duct, and individual ducts join to form larger ducts.
The main excretory duct of each gland empties into the mouth.

Composition of Saliva

Saliva is a hypotonic solution with relatively low concentrations of Na+ and Cl-, but with excess concentrations of Ca2+ and I-.
Saliva contains significant amounts of mucus and is alkaline when stimulated, helping to neutralize acids.

Mechanisms of Salivation

The production of saliva is a two-step process.
The initial fluid secreted by the acinar cells resembles extracellular fluid in its ionic composition, an isotonic NaCl solution.

This quiz covers the functions of saliva, components of saliva secreted by each pair of salivary glands, mechanisms of secretion of serous saliva, control of salivary secretion, structure and functions of the oesophagus, and processes of swallowing.