Chewing and saliva Flashcards
Why do we chew food (x2)
Because food tastes good
To make sure its small enough for the oesophagus
What controls chewing
Voluntary somatic control
A reflex response
What is the reflex response when chewing
Its an inhibitory response to increased pressure on the mechanoreceptors in the mouth
How many salivary glands do we have
3 pairs
What are the salivary glands called
Parotid
Submandibular
Sublingual
What does the parotid salivary gland secrete
A serous watery secretion
What does the submandibular salivary gland secrete
A mix of serous and mucous solution
What does the sublingual salivary gland secrete
A mucous secretion
What is the biggest salivary gland
The parotid
What does saliva contain? (x5)
Water Mucins A-amylase electrolytes lysozymes
What is the percentage of water in saliva
99%
What is waters function in saliva
Moisten, Soften, dilute,
act as solvent
What is mucin
The protein component of saliva
What does mucin+water make
Mucous
What is the function of electrolytes in saliva
Controls the tonicity
If PH is too high - damages teeth
If pH is too low - creates tartare
What is the function of lysozymes in saliva
Kills bacteria and renders them inactive
What systems control saliva secretion
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Reflex response
Does parasympathetic activation stimulate or inhibit saliva secretion
stimulates
Does sympathetic activation stimulate or inhibit saliva secretion
stimulates
What nerves carry parasympathetic stimulus to the salivary glands
Facial (VII)
Glossopharyngeal (IX)
What consistency of saliva does parasympathetic activation create
Watery
What receptors are activated in sympathetic saliva release
A1
B2
If A1 receptors are activated in sympathetic saliva release what is the main constituant of the saliva
High mucous content
If B2 receptors are activated in sympathetic saliva release what is the main constituant of the saliva
High Amylase content
What activates the A1 and B2 adrenoreceptors in the sympathetic saliva release
Adrenaline
Can A1 and B2 adrenoreceptors be activated individually?
yes - pharmacologically
What activates the reflex response causing saliva release
Mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors on walls of mouth and tongue
