The salivary glands

Question 1

What are the three main salivary glands?

Answer 1

Parotid
Sublingual
Submandibular

Question 2

What does the submandibular gland secrete?

Answer 2

Both serous and mucous saliva.

Question 3

What does the parotid gland secrete?

Answer 3

Serous saliva

Question 4

What does the sublingual gland secrete?

Answer 4

Mucous saliva.

Question 5

How is saliva produced?

Answer 5

In the acini of saliva glands by active filtration of ions from blood and has a similar composition to extracellular fluid.

Question 6

How is composition of saliva modified?

Answer 6

In the ducts within a gland to make it appropriate for requirments.

Question 7

What does autonomic stimulation of the glands do?

Answer 7

It changes the composition and volume of saliva secreted.
Parasympathetic stimulation produces a large volume of watery saliva.
Sympathetic stimulation produces a small amount of mucous saliva.

Question 8

What are the seven functions of saliva?

Answer 8

Lubrication due to mucin content
Digestion due to presence of a-amylase
Protection of oral mucosa through lubrication, rinsing action and alkaline ph.
Antibacterial through actions of antimicrobial thiocyanate.
Thirst stimulation.
Speech
Absorption in the mouth.