Blockage of the submandibular gland by a salivary stone with subsequent infection. Arrow marks pus coming out of the opening of the submandibular gland
Specialty
Gastroenterology, oral and maxillofacial surgery
Salivary gland diseases (SGDs) are multiple and varied in cause.[1] There are three paired major salivary glands in humans: the parotid glands, the submandibular glands, and the sublingual glands. There are also about 800–1,000 minor salivary glands in the mucosa of the mouth. The parotid glands are in front of the ears, one on side, and secrete mostly serous saliva, via the parotid ducts (Stenson ducts), into the mouth, usually opening roughly opposite the second upper molars. The submandibular gland is medial to the angle of the mandible, and it drains its mixture of serous and mucous saliva via the submandibular duct (Wharton duct) into the mouth, usually opening in a punctum in the floor of mouth. The sublingual gland is below the tongue, on the floor of the mouth; it drains its mostly mucous saliva into the mouth via about 8–20 ducts, which open along the plica sublingualis, a fold of tissue under the tongue.[2]
The function of the salivary glands is to secrete saliva, which has a lubricating function, which protects the mucosa of the mouth during eating and speaking.[2] Saliva also contains digestive enzymes (e.g. salivary amylase), has antimicrobial action, and acts as a buffer.[3] Salivary-gland dysfunction occurs when salivary rates are reduced; this can cause xerostomia (dry mouth).[4]
Some disorders affecting the salivary glands are listed below. Some are more common than others, and they are considered according to a surgical sieve; but this list is not exhaustive. Sialadenitis is inflammation of a salivary gland, usually caused by infections, although there are other, less common causes of inflammation, such as irradiation, allergic reactions, and trauma.[5]
^Jeffers, L; Webster-Cyriaque, JY (April 2011). "Viruses and salivary gland disease (SGD): lessons from HIV SGD". Advances in Dental Research. 23 (1): 79–83. doi:10.1177/0022034510396882. PMC 3144046. PMID 21441486.
^ abHupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR (2008). Contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery (5th ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier. pp. 397–419. ISBN 9780323049030.
^Brown, T. Rapid Review Physiology. Mosby Elsevier. p. 235.
^"Diseases of the Salivary Glands". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
^Cite error: The named reference Soames 1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
and 24 Related for: Salivary gland disease information
Salivaryglanddiseases (SGDs) are multiple and varied in cause. There are three paired major salivaryglands in humans: the parotid glands, the submandibular...
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(also termed salivary calculi, or salivary stones) is a crystallopathy where a calcified mass or sialolith forms within a salivarygland, usually in the...
The parotid gland is a major salivarygland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of...
three paired major salivaryglands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual), as well as hundreds of minor salivaryglands. Salivaryglands can be classified...
The paired submandibular glands (historically known as submaxillary glands) are major salivaryglands located beneath the floor of the mouth. In adult...
or both parotid glands, the major salivaryglands located on either side of the face, in humans. The parotid gland is the salivarygland most commonly affected...
salivarygland fistula (plural fistulae) is a fistula (i.e. an abnormal, epithelial-lined tract) involving a salivarygland or duct. Salivarygland fistulae...
ectopic, heterotopic or salivarygland choristoma. An accessory salivarygland is ectopic salivarygland tissue with a salivarygland duct system. The most...
Salivarygland hyperplasia is hyperplasia of the terminal duct of salivaryglands. There are two types: Acinar adenomatoid hyperplasia Ductal adenomatoid...
inflammation of salivaryglands, usually the major ones, the most common being the parotid gland, followed by submandibular and sublingual glands. It should...
Salivary duct stricture (also termed salivary duct stenosis) is narrowing of the duct of a major salivarygland. Strictures are the second most common...
referred to as spit) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivaryglands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes...
their mouths. Dehydration, radiotherapy involving the salivaryglands, chemotherapy and several diseases can cause reduced salivation (hyposalivation), or...
(also termed Fordyce granules) are harmless and painless visible sebaceous glands typically appearing as white/yellow small bumps or spots on the inside of...
Salivarygland atresia is congenital blockage or absence of the orifice of a major salivarygland duct or part of the duct itself. It is a very rare condition...
of a salivarygland. This is compared to sialadenitis, which is inflammation of the gland parenchyma. Sialodochitis may be associated with salivary duct...
gastrointestinal tract plus the accessory organs of digestion (the tongue, salivaryglands, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder). Digestion involves the breakdown...
associated with other autoimmune diseases, namely systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. However, common autoantibodies...
infects the upper respiratory tract. From there, it spreads to the salivaryglands and lymph nodes. Infection of the lymph nodes leads to presence of...
refers to the diseases of the mouth ("oral cavity" or "stoma"), jaws ("maxillae" or "gnath") and related structures such as salivaryglands, temporomandibular...
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