Phys Review - Choudhury - KK Flashcards
What is role do water and mucus play in saliva?
- Facilitate speech
- Dissolve particles
- Allow for tasting of food
- Provide lubrication for swallowing
- Assist in forming food into bolus
What is the function of salivary α-amylase?
Carbohydrate digestion (cleaves α-1,4 glycosidic bonds)
What is the function of salivary lingual lipase?
Initiates fat digestion
What is the function of salivary ribonuclease?
Hydrolysis of RNA
What are the antibacterial components of saliva?
- Lysozyme (esp. against Bacillus and Strep)
- Lactoperoxidase (esp against bacteria in milk and mucosal lining)
- IgA glycoprotein (against viruses and bacteria)
- Lactoferrin (chelates iron, thus inhibiting microbial growth)
What is the role of bicarbonate in saliva?
- Neutralizes acid produced by bacteria, thus inhibiting tooth decay
- Neutralizes gastric acid refluxed from stomach into esophagus
Why is saliva hypotonic?
Allows for the ability to taste carbs and fats
-can’t taste protein (i.e. tofu)
What is the initial site of saliva synthesis?
Acinus of salivary gland
What cells modify the ionic profile of saliva?
Ductal cells
What is secreted into the acinus?
H2O, K+, Na+, Cl-, HCO3-, zymogens of salivary enzymes
Describe the movement of salivary components in the ducts
- Ductal cells are impermeable to water
- Na+ and Cl- reabsorbed
- K+ and HCO3- secreted
What happens to the concentration of saliva at high flow rates?
Less time for ductal cells to modify constituents, so concentrations more closely resemble plasma
(higher Na+ and Cl-, lower K+ than at baseline)
What happens to the concentration of saliva at low flow rates?
More time for ductal cells to modify constituents, so less resemblance to plasma
(Low Na+ and Cl-, high K+)
What are the ionic transporters found on the luminal surface of ductal cells?
Na+/H+ exchanger
Cl-/HCO3- exchanger
K+/H+ exchanger
What part of the nervous system controls most of salivary production/concentration?
ANS, specifically parasympathetic division
-more profound stimulation/inhibition from parasympathetic as opposed to sympathetic
What factors stimulate salivary production?
Conditioned responses (smell, sight, taste, sound)
Chewing
Spicy/sour foods
Smoking
What factors inhibit production of saliva?
Sleep
Fear
Anti-cholinergics, anti-nicotinics, anti-depressants
Dehydration
Fatigue
What factors modulate production of saliva?
Blood secretion
Myoepithelial cell contraction
Hormonal secretion
Describe xerostomia
Dry mouth due to absent saliva production
Caused by: drugs, radiation tx, autoimmune disease
Leads to: buccal infections, dental caries
Describe Sjögren’s syndrome
Autoimmune disease involving salivary and lacrimal glands
Glandular atrophy leads to xerostomia and dry eyes
Results in difficulty chewing, swallowing, and speaking
Describe drooling in the instance of abnormal saliva production
Excessive salivation due to increased nervous stimulation
Tx: anticholinergics, removal of sublingual salivary glands
What are conditions in which unusual local reflexes and or increased neurological stimulation lead to excessive salivation?
Parkinson’s
Tumors of mouth or esophagus
Describe cystic fibrosis as it relates to saliva production
Pts lack CFTR or chloride channel
Results in elevated Na+, Ca++, and protein in saliva
Describe Addison’s disease as it relates to saliva production
Decreased Na+ reabsorption leads to increased Na+ in saliva
Describe primary aldosteronism and Cushing’s as they relate to saliva production
Increased Na+ reabsorption leads to decreased levels of NaCl and increased K+ levels in saliva
Describe digoxin therapy’s effect on salivary production
Increased Ca++ and K+ in saliva