Salivary Glands Definition by Healthwise:
Salivary glands produce saliva, which moistens the mouth to help a person chew and swallow food. Saliva also contains substances (enzymes) that begin the breakdown of food.
There are four pairs of salivary glands:
- The parotid glands are located between the ear and the jaw.
- The submandibular glands are located under the jaw.
- The sublingual glands are located on the floor of the mouth under the tongue.
- The buccal glands are located in the mucous membrane lining the cheeks and mouth. These glands produce only a small amount of saliva.
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis |
| Medical Review: | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated: May 25, 2007 | |
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