Salivary Glands Flashcards
Name the three types of oral mucosa
- Lining
- Masticatory
- Specialised (taste buds)
In general, what is the oral mucosa composed of
- Stratified squamous epithelium
- Lamina propria of dense connective tissue
- Submucosa of loose connective tissue
Where is lining mucosa found in the oral cavity
- Inside of the lips
- Buccal surfaces
- Soft palate
- Floor of the mouth
- Inferior surface of the tongue
Is the lining mucosa epithelium keratinised
No; however, the vermillion border of the lips is keratinised
Where is masticatory mucosa found in the oral
- Hard palate
2. Gingiva (gums around the teeth)
Is the masticatory mucosa epithelium keratinised
Yes
Is the dorsum of the tongue keratinised
Yes
Describe the different planes of the intrinsic muscles of the tongue
Skeletal muscle bundles in:
- Longitudinal,
- Transverse, and
- Vertical planes
Name the four types of papillae on the tongue
- Filiform (no taste buds)
- Fungiform
- Foliate
- Circumvallate
What is the diameter of the taste buds
These multicellular chemoreceptive units are around 50um in diameter
What are the 6 basic functions of saliva
- Protection
- Buffering
- Tooth integrity
- Antimicrobial activity
- Digestion
- Taste
How much saliva is secreted per day
600-1000ml per day
Name the 3 paired main salivary glands
- Parotid
- Submandibular
- Sublingual
Where are the minor salivary glands located
In the submucosa and have short ducts that open directly onto the mucosal surface
Where does the parotid duct enter the oral cavity
A papilla opposite the upper second molar tooth
What nerve innervates the parotid gland
Auriculotemporal nerve
Where does the submandibular duct enter the oral cavity
Terminates on the sublingual caruncle near the base of the lingual frenum
Describe the innervation to the submandibular gland
Submandibular ganglion
What cranial nerve innervates the submandibular gland
Facial nerve (CNVII)
Where does the sublingual duct enter the oral cavity
Anterior part = single duct that joins the submandibular duct
Posterior part = several small ducts that end on the sublingual fold
Describe merocrine secretion
Exocytosis: vesicles fuse with the cell membrane and discharge their contents to the extracellular space
Name the two types of duct
- Simple (duct is unbranched)
2. Compound (has a branching duct system)
What type of duct are salivary glands
Compound tubuloacinar glands
Name the classification of salivary glands
- Serous
2. Mucous
Describe the cells of the serous acini
Typically wedge-shaped and have a prominent nucleus in the basal part of the cell
Where do mucous cells tend to be found
In the tubular element of the tubulo-acinar glandular structure
What is the serous demilune (artifact)
Crescent-shaped collection of cells at the end of the serous secretory unit
Where are minor salivary glands absent in the oral mucosa
The gingiva and the anterior part of the hard palate
Describe the structure and action of the minor salivary glands
Predominately mucous in form and exhibit a continuous, slow secretory activity
Name an example of the minor salivary glands that are entirely serous
The von Ebner’s glands
Describe the different stages of the duct system within the salivary glands
Intercalated duct -> striated duct -> excretory duct
What cells make up the intercalated duct
Cuboidal cells
Describe the cells of the striated duct
Columnar cells and they have their nucleus in a central position
What are the striations at the basal surface of the striated ducts
They are infoldings of cell membrane accompanied by lines of mitochondria to power the molecular pumps within the membranes
What cells make up the excretory ducts
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with tall columnar cells and small basal cells
What happens to the lining of the excretory ducts as they reach the surface of the oral cavity
The lining becomes stratified squamous epithelium, similar to that of the oral mucosa
