Salivary glands

Question 1

List the functions of salivary glands

Answer 1

1. Maintain the calcium/phosphate concentration of saliva.
   - Ensures that saliva is supersaturated for hydroxyapatite formation.
2. Buffer the pH of oral cavity:
   - Oral cavity pH needs to promote hydroxyapatite formation.
   - Bicarbonate based.
3. Antimicrobial activity.
   - Ensure healthy flora populate the oral cavity.

Question 2

List the major salivary glands

Answer 2

• Parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands

- Active only during mastication

Question 3

List the minor salivary glands

Answer 3

• Located inside oral cavity
• Active at all-times but produces a relatively low amount of saliva
• Important for saliva production during speaking

Question 4

Describe the process of saliva production from salivary glands

Answer 4

Saliva generated by salivary acini are different from the end secreted saliva. Initial saliva has no buffering capacity. Along the collecting ducts, the chlorine molecules are substituted for bicarbonate ions (thus gains buffering ability). The buffering capacity is directly related to the velocity of the saliva in the salivary ducts. In the major salivary glands (stimulated salivary glands), the fluid flow is very fast so low buffering capacity per volume. The minor salivary glands have greater buffering capacity per volume (not overall) and are important to buffering the oral cavity during time between eating.