Saliva Flashcards

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1
Q

What is saliva?

A

Glandular secretion which bathes teeth and oral mucosa

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2
Q

What are 3 major components of saliva?

A
  1. Water
  2. Proteins / Glycoproteins
  3. Electrolytes
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3
Q

Why is saliva fluid not lost?

A

It is swallowed and reabsorbed by gut

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4
Q

What 4 glands are responsible for saliva production?

A
  1. Parotid gland
  2. Submandibular gland
  3. Sublingual gland
  4. Minor salivary glands
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5
Q

What are salivary outputs from the glands when unstimulated?

A

Parotid - 20%
Submandibular - 65%
Sublingual - 8%
Minor - 7%

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6
Q

What are salivary outputs from the glands when stimulated?

A

Parotid - 50%
Submandibular - 35%
Sublingual - 8%
Minor - 7%

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7
Q

Where is the parotid gland located?

A

In front of ear and behind the ramus of the mandible

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8
Q

Where does the parotid gland duct open?

A

Into the cheek opposite the 2nd molar of the upper jaw

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9
Q

Where is the submandibular gland located?

A

Between body of the mandible and floor of the mouth

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10
Q

Where does the submandibular gland duct open?

A

Floor of the mouth underneath anterior part of the tongue

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11
Q

Where is the sublingual gland located?

A

Floor of the mouth beneath sublingual folds of mucous membrane

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12
Q

Where does the sublingual gland duct open?

A

Numerous ducts open on the summit of the sublingual fold

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13
Q

What are 3 main features of unstimulated saliva?

A
  1. Confers most protection
  2. Importance of minor and submandibular output
  3. Low output during sleep
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14
Q

What are 3 main features of stimulated saliva?

A
  1. Protection during mastication (chewing)
  2. Assists in deglutition (swallowing)
  3. Importance of parotid output
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15
Q

What are the two cells of the salivary glands?

A
  1. Serous

2. Mucous

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16
Q

Name 8 functions of saliva

A
  1. Cleansing
  2. Buffering
  3. Remineralisation
  4. Food Preparation
  5. Digestion
  6. Antimicrobial
  7. Taste
  8. Speech
17
Q

What is the function of bicarbonate found in saliva?

A

Buffering system at high flow rates i.e. when eating

18
Q

How does bicarbonate carry out its function as a buffer?

A

Pushes pH of saliva up to 8 to buffer against acidic foods

19
Q

What is the function of calcium and phosphate ions found in saliva?

A

Remineralisation and provide protection against caries

20
Q

What is a negative side effect of calcium and phosphate ions found in saliva?

A

It can lead to calculus formation

21
Q

What is calculus?

A

Plaque and mineralised salts

22
Q

Name 4 enzymes found in saliva and their function

A
  1. Lactoperoxidase - Inhibits bacterial metabolism
  2. Lysozyme - Acts on cell wall of bacteria
  3. Amylase - Aids starch digestion
  4. Lipase - Aids lipid digestion
23
Q

Where is amylase produced in the oral cavity?

A

Parotid gland

24
Q

Name 4 antimicrobials found in saliva

A
  1. sIgA
  2. Lactoferrin
  3. Histatins
  4. Defensins
25
Q

What are 2 functions of mucins found in saliva?

A
  1. Lubrication (MUC5B)

2. Agglutinating properties towards oral bacteria (MUC7)

26
Q

What are 4 other components of whole saliva?

A
  1. Blood and/or derivatives
  2. Extrinsic substances e.g. food debris
  3. Oral mucosal lining cells
  4. Micro-organisms
27
Q

What 5 things can interfere with saliva production?

A
  1. Diseases (local or systemic)
  2. Medications
  3. Head or neck radiation
  4. Chemotherapy
28
Q

Give 3 examples of local disease which can affect saliva production

A
  1. Obstructive diseases e.g. neoplasms
  2. Inflammatory diseases e.g. sialadenitis
  3. Degree of hydration
29
Q

Give 3 examples of systemic diseases which can affect saliva production

A
  1. Sjogren’s syndrome
  2. Sarcoidosis
  3. Cystic fibrosis
30
Q

What is xerostomia?

A

Dry mouth