Salivary glands Flashcards
What are the 3 main functions of saliva?
Lubricant (for mastication, swallowing and speech)
Tool for oral hygiene (wash and antibacterial)
Digestion (carbohydrates and lipids)
What is the pH range of saliva?
pH ranges from 6.2 to 7.4
What is the function of serous secretion?
starch digestion
What is the function of mucus secretion?
lubrication of mucosal surfaces
What do the parotid salivary glands produce?
serous secretions only
What do the submandibular and sublingual glands produce?
both mucous and serous secretions
Which glands are continuously active and which are only (measurably) secreted when stimulated?
Submandibular and sublingual are continually active whereas parotid glands have no measurable unstimulated secretion.
What/where is the main source of saliva when stimulation has occurred?
From the parotid glands
What do the minor glands produce?
Mainly mucous secretions
All minor salivary glands are mucous except serous glands of von Ebner
What are the 3 key defensive features?
Mucosa = physical barrier
Salivary glands = washes away food deposits
Palatine tonsils = immune surveillance
What are serous secretions made up of?
water and alpha amylase
What are mucous secretions made up of?
water + glycoproteins
What are the 3 key histological features of serous acini?
Dark staining
Nucleus located in the basal third
Small central duct
What are the 3 key histological features of mucous acini?
Pale staining
Nucleus located at base
Large central duct
What is the effect of parasympathetic stimulation on salivary production?
Stimulates
