Block 7 (GI) - L1 to L3 Flashcards
True or false - the tongue and the major salivary glands are part of the oral cavity.
False - the major salivary glands are NOT part of the oral cavity.
The ___ protects the airway during swallowing to avoid aspiration.
Epiglottis
What are the 3 major exocrine salivary glands (in order from largest to smallest) and what do they secrete?
- Parotid
- Submandibular
- Sublingual
Saliva (enzymes + mucus)
Describe the composition of the saliva secreted from each of the 3 major glands.
- Parotid: purely serous
- Submandibular: mixed (serous>mucinous)
- Sublingual: mixed (mucinous>serous)
The parotid gland drains via the ___ duct.
Stensen
The submandibular gland drains via the ___ duct.
Wharton
The sublingual gland drains via the ___ ducts, which terminate in the submandibular duct.
Bartholin and Rivunus
What comprises the salivary unit?
Acinus and draining duct system
Which of the salivary glands is the only one to have intraparenchymal lymph nodes?
Parotid
What is sialadenitis?
Inflammation of the salivary glands
Discuss acute sialadenitis.
Typically caused by an ascending bacterial infection (S. aureus, S. viridans) and secondary to sialolithiasis and reduced saliva flow.
Typically unilateral
What are obstructive causes of chronic/recurrent sialadenitis?
- Stenosis
- Chronic sialolithiasis
- Mucus retention
What are non-obstructive causes of chronic/recurrent sialadenitis?
Sjogren’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, TB
What are the symptoms of sialadenitis?
- Swelling and pain in the affected gland
- Fever (acute)
- Dry mouth
- Fibrosis leading to a hard salivary gland
What is the most common cause of acute, painful bilateral parotid swelling?
Mumps sialadenitis
What population is most affected by mumps?
Children
What causes mumps?
Paramyxovirus
What are conditions associated with mumps?
Orchitis (can lead to sterility), pancreatitis, or aseptic meningitis
___ is elevated when the salivary gland or pancreas is involved in mumps.
Serum amlyase
What is the treatment for mumps?
Supportive
What is the most common benign salivary gland neoplasm?
Pleomorphic adenoma (60% of parotid, submandibular, and minor salivary gland neoplasms)
Discuss the epidemiology of pleomorphic adenoma.
Adults: F>M, peaks in 4th/5th decades
Children (5-15): M>F
Describe the tumor of a pleomorphic adenoma.
Painless, slow-growing, well-circumscribed mass
Composed of glandular/ductal epithelial structures and myoepithelial cells with variable morphology present within a mesenchymal stroma
How is a pleomorphic adenoma treated?
Surgical excision